Management by Commitment

New Business Book Hails the Best and Last Leadership Style You Will Ever Need

David N. Chalk shares his management secrets gleaned from years of experience in “Management by Commitment: Other books have told you what to do - This book will tell you how!” (published by AuthorHouse - http://www.authorhouse.com).

Chalk’s plan, involving six simple action steps, will prepare any management team of any size or type to adapt to evolving changes in the work environment. Steps one through four focus on communication and cooperation between leadership and subordinate departments. By presenting the annual business plan, delegating specific tasks, and agreeing on the methods to achieve success, colleagues establish a foundation for reaching tangible goals, what Chalk calls a commitment.

As work proceeds, subordinates should be watchful for potential problems, which should be addressed immediately. This is the time for the responsive manager to step in, Chalk explains:

At this point, the senior manager applies coaching skills and becomes a mentor to his subordinate organization. The subordinate’s performance plan is updated allowing both levels of managers to operate in an environment of “no surprises.”

An open, results-oriented dialogue continues to be central in the fifth and sixth steps. Key items include commitment status reports and annual performance evaluations, which are based on subordinate managers’ own performance plans and status reports, thus representing an objective upgrade over the subjective “report card.”

This unique approach to planning and control of management can be revolutionary for any management team. “Management by Commitment” focuses on meaningful dialogue that encourages participation and a sense of entrepreneurship at every level. But more so, this method fosters commitment to results and innovation within the framework of “no surprises.”

About the Author: David N. Chalk received a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California. He also earned an executive certificate from the Western Management Institute at the University of San Diego. He began his corporate career in industrial training and later became Corporate Director of Management Development for Aerojet General Corporation. He was invited by the U.S. Department of State to teach University of Southern California courses in Spain. He created Arrindell Associates, a training consulting organization from which the concepts of “Management by Commitment” were honed to perfection.