Are You a Manager or a Monkey Handler? Here's how to Get Rid of the monkeys on Your Back without them driving you bananas 🍌

Do you feel like you are always running out of time while your subordinates are always running out of work? If so, you should watch over your shoulder as you may have a monkey on your back.

A monkey is a metaphor for a problem or a task that one of your team members has transferred to you, either intentionally or unintentionally. The article published in 1974 “Who’s Got the Monkey?” by William Oncken Jr. and Donald L. has been one of the most popular issues of Harvard Business Review ever. It is based on the premise that managers spend too much time handling subordinates’ problems, which reduces their discretionary time and increases their stress. It also offers suggestions on how to delegate effectively and free up more time for your boss-imposed and system-imposed activities. This way, the managers can focus on their own priorities and goals, while the subordinates can develop their skills and confidence.

Oncken categorizes these monkeys into three types:

1. "Do-it-yourself" monkeys: These are tasks that the subordinate can and should manage independently.

2. "Help-me" monkeys: These require some assistance from the manager, but the subordinate still retains primary ownership.

3. "Take-it-off-my-back" monkeys: These are problems that the subordinate has completely abdicated, dumping them squarely on the manager's lap.

To effectively manage these monkeys, Oncken proposes a simple yet powerful strategy:

• Recognize the monkey: Managers must be vigilant in identifying when a monkey has jumped onto their back. This requires self-awareness and the ability to discern between genuine requests for guidance and attempts to offload responsibility.

• Assess the monkey's type: Determine whether the monkey falls into the "do-it-yourself," "help-me," or "take-it-off-my-back" category. This categorization guides the appropriate response.

• Assign the next move. The manager and the subordinate should agree on what the next action is, and when it should be completed. The subordinate should report back to the manager only after completing the next move, not before.

In summary, Do not allow your subordinates to use you as a dumping ground for their monkeys. Instead, encourage them to solve their own problems and make their own decisions. By effectively managing these tasks, managers can reclaim their time, focus on their core responsibilities, and empower their subordinates to develop their critical thinking skills.

Remember, if you're constantly juggling monkeys, you'll never have time to climb the ladder of success. So, take control of your workload, send those monkeys packing, and watch your career soar!