I enjoyed reading Tachi Yamada’s perspectives on management today in the Sunday NYT Corner Office section. Mr. Yamada is president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Health Program. While not explicitly applicable to digital marketing management, two of his comments address relevant facets of our industry: dealing effectively with details; and leading change.

1. “I dont’ micromanage, but I have microinterest.”  What a great distinction. I try not to micromanage as well, but sometimes I take such interest in the details of a project or customer engagement that I can’t help it – it seems like the micromanagement part sometimes bursts forth when my level of knowledge reaches a certain tipping point.  Likewise, when I delegate, I find that I can lose a grasp of the details – usually after some time – that I will need to make important decisions.  The distinction Mr. Yamada makes is that it’s good to understand key details, but let others act on them. 

2. We all get that the ability to lead change is important. And like many of us, Mr. Yamada looks for that competency when he hires.  He offers a good description of what happens when you don’t have folks who embrace change. It’s not just that it’s more difficult to drive change, you actually get an ”organization that’s constantly fighting to stay at the status quo.” What a lot of wasted energy.

Lots more good stuff in the short interview here.

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