When it comes to promotions, most companies fail at one critical decision: picking the right managers. This often leads to a host of issues that could have been avoided with better selection methods. In fact, some researchers suggest that randomly picking managers might statistically result in better outcomes than the traditional promotion process.
Self-Promoters Aren’t the Answer
It’s common to see individuals who aggressively pursue managerial roles, yet many of these self-promoters are not fit for leadership. The problem? They often lack essential management skills. Just because someone wants to manage doesn’t mean they can lead effectively. This mismatch is a fundamental reason why companies end up with poor managers.
The Case for Part-Time Management
A better approach could be letting potential managers manage part-time. This allows companies to assess their real management skills in a lower-stakes environment before offering a full-time role. Interestingly, researchers have observed that when teachers were given small teaching gigs after an interview, those who performed well in smaller roles consistently excelled in larger teaching positions. This part-time approach offers a glimpse into how someone handles responsibility without risking the health of the entire team or project.
The Problem with Management Tests
We live in a world with endless tests aimed at evaluating potential managers. But here’s the hard truth: most of these tests are ineffective. They are based on outdated metrics that fail to capture the complexities of modern management. Companies continue to use them, despite little evidence of their success.
A New Approach: Skills Tests by Harvard Skills Labs
However, there is hope. Harvard Skills Labs has developed a series of quick, engaging skills tests that might hold the key to better management selection. These games, which take just 1-2 minutes each, aim to measure key skills that are often overlooked in traditional evaluation processes. If you’re curious, you can try them here: Harvard Skills Labs Games.
By focusing on real-world performance, part-time trials, and more effective testing methods like those from Harvard Skills Labs, companies can begin making smarter promotion decisions—picking managers based on ability rather than self-promotion or flawed tests.
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