Thread regarding Edward Jones layoffs

As a leader, I do NOT need to see my associates calendars. My job is set the expectations for the role and for our team to have success. I do not micromanage. Micromanaging will ki-l team and as a leader, you need a team of high performing, skilled and talented associates to be successful. Be an authentic leader and provide the flexibility to own your day. I applaud an associate that blocks their time to focus on getting things done. If I have a last minute meeting I need someone to attend, I just ping them and someone always comes through for me. I am in the trenches with them, provide support, clear expectations and appreciation for the jobs they do to make our team and department successful.

Some of these responses are why we are where we are. Leaders DO NOT need to see your calendar. What happened to Responsibility Based Management??? If you're a leader and asking for this type of visibility you are stressful to work with and for. If I block time to get work done, applaud me for being proactive and self aware of what I need to get my work done and not questioning what I'm doing. Jimmy crickets....

Communication is key. I agree with OP as a leader myself. I’ll just ping you if I need you to attend an impromptu meeting or will plan better. Build trust and when you need them they will be there. It’s communication that is key, not access to a calendar. SMH.

@ae, I think your response was harsh. Maybe the person doesn't know how to add items to a calendar and mark it as private..Just my take on your response..Thank you.

Demanding this level of calendar access is a bad sign and these responses are unhinged.

This could easily be solved with better communication. Someone reviewing your calendar is not a good use of anyone's time.

@OP a lot of our team does this because it helps us better understand what each other has going on, schedule meetings more effectively knowing if someone has a truly slammed day or maybe just has time blocked out, etc. for us we understand it’s not about micromanagement, it’s about being able to work more easily together. I also just make any personal stuff private if I really don’t want someone to see it. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer, just depends on the intent behind it.

@ad OP doesn’t have to allow visibility into the details of everything on their calendar in order to show availability. The leader is not entitled to every detail about their employees’ days. They are supposed to be accountable for delivering outcomes. If there is a problem with an employee’s performance the leader should address it directly and base their concerns on objective facts i.e. expectations vs delivered results. If the leader can only come up with subjective issues like “not a team player” or not meeting some definition of “open book” then I would question whether that leader had sufficient responsibilities. If I were that leader’s leader I would wonder why they had time to pester an employee about something like this instead of focusing on how we’re going to meet the firm’s lofty goals by 2030. If you haven’t already guessed, executive leaders ARE asking themselves questions like this. That’s why VSP was offered to all home office leaders. They know we have too many leaders who don’t have enough to do.

As a leader, I agree with @OP on this one.

Empower your team and let them know what the objectives/priorities are. Set them free to achieve those and hold them accountable.

I can hear all the reasons and whataboutery coming in response. Bottom line - Micromanaging will drain you out as a leader and not get the results you need.

@OP You sound like a control freak that is not a team player. I want my Leader and my associates to be a fairly open book, and I hold myself to that same standard. You definitely do not strike me as flexible and collaborative.

@OP I am going to have to take the side of your leader on this one. You may not feel that important now, but a visible calendar serves a number of purposes including a quick glance to determine if what you have scheduled is a priority. As an example, there is an unplanned meeting that was just announced to go over final details of a project and you are my first choice to attend for an additional perspective. Makes it very easy to do a quick glance to determine your availability and if there is a conflict whether or not I want to ask you to attend anyway, based on priority. I could provide 100 examples. It also shows your team that you are basically beyond reproach and not hiding anything. As to your personal information on the calendar, it is a business tool first and foremost, however if privacy is paramount dont add much detail other than appoint with son at 3 on Friday the 27th. It sounds like your relatively new still, but your question is immature in terms of your professional career and that is not meant as an insult. Think big picture and dont let insecurity hinder your career. That said, its natural what you are feeling