PART TWO: A PERSPECTIVE ON MANAGING
YOURSELF
The editors of Nation's Business compiled a carefully selected compendium of articles of particular interest to executives. Its third edition, "Three Steps to More Skillful Management" consists of three groups of articles, the first of which is titled "Managing Yourself." The other two fall under the titles "Managing Your People" and "Managing Your Business."
In the lead article, Peter Drucker, one of our nation's foremost corporation consultants, discusses five ways to become a more effective executive: (1) Focus effort on fewer jobs; (2) Eliminate the obsolete; (3) Learn how you spend your time; (4) Avoid unproductive decisions; and (5) Test ideas. He concludes by reminding the reader that while books on management talk about managing the work of others, one can really be certain of managing only oneself. And unless the manager does this effectively,
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cautions Drucker, no amount of ability, skill, experience or knowledge will make the manager effective.
Francois Rabelais likewise emphasized self-management: "How shall I be able to rule over others if I have not full power and command of myself?"1
But there is a paradox involved at this point for Christians who comprehend man's inability to control our own nature. Dr. Walter Judd summarizes this predicament and its solution: "Man is so smart today; he controls almost all of nature — except his own nature; For that he needs a Saviour. That Saviour is available."2
REFERENCES:
1. Rabelais, Francois, Works, Chap. 52.
2. Judd, Walter H., "Critique on Conflict," Collegiate Challenge, Vol. 5, No. 1.
