The Manager's Sustainability Muscle

What separates the manager from the future leader?

- Sandra Jones

You were hired based upon faith. Your employer certainly used screening tools based on science. Your résumé was reviewed. Your previous employers were contacted for references. You were interviewed to see how you both presented yourself and responded to questions. At the end of the process, someone person made a go/no-go decision on your behalf.

Your track record was based on patience. Almost no one steps into a new role, especially as a manager, and is completely at ease, able to handle any situation that arises, or be Superman and leap tall buildings in a single bound! A leader relied on patience while you learned, experienced new challenges, and learned new behaviors and skills.

Your long-term value as a manager on the path to the executive offices is based, not on that initial faith nor on continued patience, but on sustainability. The managerial muscles you build over time are your guarantee of lifetime executive value.