S6 | 512: When "unmanaging" is the best way to manage teams, with Jack Skeels, AgencyAgile

Digital StrategyTechnologyConversational AI
Written By Basil Ali

About the Episode

Today we’re going to talk about effective management of teams, even when that means you need to “unmanage” them - and we’ll talk a lot more about what that means.

To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Jack Skeels, CEO & Founder of AgencyAgile and author of the book Unmanaged: Master the Magic of Creating Empowered and Happy Organizations.

About Jack Skeels

Jack Skeels is a former RAND senior analyst, and currently CEO of AgencyAgile, an Agile transformation and coaching firm that helps agencies, consultancies, and other complex service organizations go better, faster and happier. His career includes leading Sapient’s 105-person Los Angeles office, and founding and executive roles in multiple startups. He is a coach to executives, a thought-leader and evangelist to industry, and wakes every day driven to create a revolution in leadership and management practices, optimal organization design, and delivery excellence.

Jack is recognized as an outstanding speaker, writer, and educator. He speaks at over 15 industry and association events per year, including Ad Age, Digiday, SoDA (annual meeting and The SoDA Academy), 4A’s conferences, Advertising Week, Magnet Global, Miss Collective, TAAN, Bureau of Digital, and others. With over 35 published articles, his work frequently appears in leading publications such as: Ad Age, Entrepreneur.com, Ad Week, MediaPost, and Campaign.us.

Jack is a two-time Inc-500 Award winner and entrepreneur, with several successful startups to his credit. In addition to a bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering and an MBA with honors in Entrepreneurship and Finance from the Marshall School of Business, he has held several graduate-level teaching roles, including associate professor at the RAND-Pardee School of Public Policy.

Resources

Synopsis

Unmanaging, as discussed in the podcast episode, involves empowering teams to maximize productivity by providing guidance on goals without micromanaging the how and when of tasks. The concept of unmanaging emphasizes the importance of allowing teams to figure out how to achieve their goals independently, rather than dictating every aspect of their work. This approach is based on the Agile principle of giving teams the autonomy to make decisions and solve problems on their own.

In the episode, Jack Skeels, the CEO and founder of Agency Agile, shared a personal anecdote about a small shop owner who spent hours scheduling tasks for his team, only to have the team members dislike the schedules. By adopting an unmanaging approach, Jack advised the owner to provide the team with the truth of what needed to be accomplished for the week but to let them determine how and when to achieve those goals. This shift in management style resulted in increased productivity and a more satisfied team.

The ACE model, discussed in the episode, highlights the key managerial functions that should be focused on: Authority, Control, and Empowerment. Managers should provide the truth of what needs to be done (Authority), while allowing the team to decide how and when to accomplish the tasks (Control). Additionally, managers should empower the team by providing support and resources to help them achieve their goals (Empowerment).

Overall, unmanaging is about striking a balance between providing guidance and support to teams while allowing them the freedom to work autonomously. By embracing this approach, organizations can create a more efficient and empowered workforce that is capable of achieving their goals effectively.

In the podcast episode, Jack Skeels, CEO and founder of Agency Agile, emphasized the concept that meetings should be viewed as a symptom of underlying issues in processes and communication within an organization, rather than as a solution in themselves. He highlighted that calling a meeting is a natural human response to gather individuals to address a problem or make decisions. However, the real issue arises when meetings become a default solution without addressing the root cause of the problem.

Skeels pointed out that the prevalence of meetings can often indicate shortcomings in briefings, scoping, alignment of stakeholders, or ineffective communication channels within the organization. Instead of focusing solely on making meetings more efficient, the emphasis should be on identifying and rectifying the deficiencies in the processes that necessitate these meetings in the first place.

By shifting the perspective to see meetings as a symptom, leaders can delve deeper into the reasons behind the need for frequent meetings. This approach encourages a more proactive and strategic approach to problem-solving, where the focus is on improving processes, enhancing communication, and fostering collaboration to reduce the reliance on meetings as the primary means of addressing issues.

Ultimately, by recognizing meetings as a symptom of underlying organizational challenges, leaders can work towards creating a more efficient and productive work environment by addressing the root causes that lead to excessive meeting schedules. This shift in mindset can lead to a more streamlined and effective approach to decision-making and problem-solving within the organization.

In the podcast episode, Jack Skeels, CEO and founder of Agency Agile, discussed how DEI initiatives can be integrated into an unmanaged approach within organizations. He highlighted the importance of giving everyone a chance to grow and succeed as a key aspect of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Jack emphasized that the traditional approach of promoting only the best in the department can be counterproductive. Instead, he suggested rethinking career growth and measurement by turning the pyramid upside down. This means viewing career progression as supporting more of the pyramid above you, indicating a shift towards a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Furthermore, Jack mentioned a client in Australia who decided to eliminate titles within the organization. This unconventional approach aimed to focus on getting great work done rather than hierarchical titles. By removing titles, the organization encouraged a culture where everyone had an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed based on their abilities and efforts.

The concept of inclusion, as discussed in the episode, involves giving everyone a chance to play and demonstrate their capabilities. Jack highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for individuals to showcase their skills and talents, regardless of their background or personal preferences. This approach aligns with the idea of creating a level playing field where individuals are judged based on their performance and contributions rather than personal biases or preferences.

In conclusion, integrating DEI initiatives into an unmanaged approach involves fostering an environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow and succeed based on their merit and efforts. By focusing on inclusion and providing equal opportunities for all individuals, organizations can create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that benefits both employees and the overall organizational culture.

Jack Skeels, CEO & Founder, AgencyAgile

Basil Ali
Previous

S6 | 513: AI & Fragmentation with Afif Khoury, SOCi
Next

S6 | 511: Brand engagement in a socially conscious market, with Taylor Bennett, DoorDash