Management 101

In 2017, the CEO of the company that I work for gave me a book published in 1984, a year after I was born. This book sparked what I call “the awakening of the manager” because it was transformative, allowing me to see both work and personal activities in a completely new way. The book, The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, is a fascinating novel that introduces the Theory of Constraints. Now, let’s see how this production theory can help us in real and challenging situations.

As supervisors, we often assume that giving instructions is a straightforward process—say what needs to be done, and employees will execute accordingly. However, failing to communicate effectively can lead to confusion, delays, and costly mistakes. This story illustrates five of the most common pitfalls in giving instructions.