“Management by Wandering Around” (MBWA)
Management by Wandering Around (MBWA) is a management style that involves managers being proactive and being accessible to employees. It is a way of managing by directly interacting with employees, taking part in their work, attending meetings and solving problems. The idea is that the more the manager “wanders around” and interacts with the employees in their environment, the more they can understand their challenges, appreciate their contributions and be more engaged in making informed decisions.
This can be seen as a form of proactive management. Managers who use MBWA spend their time walking around the workplace, talking with employees, observing and understanding their challenges and needs and then intervening where necessary. MBWA also has many advantages for both employers and employees.
For employers, MBWA has been seen to improve communication between employees and management, as managers become more accessible and better informed. Managers spend more time getting to know their employees and gaining insights into their roles and responsibilities, which leads to improved performance and overall satisfaction. In addition, the visible presence of managers can have a positive effect on staff morale and productivity, and can reduce employee turnover.
For employees, MBWA can create an increased feeling of recognition and value. MBWA enables managers to recognize and reward employees for their contributions and success, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and loyalty. It also allows employees to feel that they are more involved in the development and success of their organization as they more clearly understand their role and how it fits into the bigger picture.
In addition, MBWA is often used in conjunction with other management techniques such as Performance Evaluation, Performance Improvement Plans and Performance Appraisal. These additional techniques can help to reinforce the positive effects of MBWA and create a culture of mutual respect and trust between the team and management.
Overall, MBWA is a management style that focuses on being involved and informed, as well as being proactive. By engaging with employees in a meaningful way, managers can not only better understand their needs, but also motivate and recognize them for their efforts. This, in turn, can lead to improved communication, greater job satisfaction and loyalty, and better overall performance.
