Heart of Management

Category: Basis

Basic managerial and leadership issues

  • Once upon a time, there was a manager.

    Let’s call him… say, Itai (just a made-up name, of course).

    This Itai got a team.

    A bit tired, a bit disengaged, kind of in a “just don’t bother me” mode.

    And what did he do?

    He went all in:

    Command style.

    Over-the-top assertiveness.

    Zero sentiment.

    “I’ll lift them off the ground!”

    (What actually happened: they crawled under the ground and didn’t want to come out.)

    Task board? Check.

    Rules? Plenty.

    Inspiration?

    About as effective as trying to light a campfire with dry ice.

    And the worst part?

    Itai thought he was doing exactly what he was taught.

    But the truth?

    What he didn’t realize was — they didn’t need strictness.

    They needed connection.

    Someone to see them.

    Meaning.

    And then it hit him:

    Management isn’t running the same software on every machine.

    It’s more like cooking —

    Every ingredient needs a different heat, a different spice, and a different time on the flame.

    And even more than that:

    That ability?

    He wasn’t born with it.

    He simply learned it.

    Through a mistake.

    And another.

    And another (with sauce).

    So the next time you hear someone say:

    “You either have it, or you don’t…”

    Think of Itai.

    And the first pot he burned.

    And the dish everyone ended up asking the recipe for.

    You’re not born a manager…

    You simmer into one.

  • I didn’t put my photo here…

    Sometimes what looks good… means nothing.

    And sometimes what’s messy, raw, even clumsy – holds real depth.

    I’ve seen beautiful slides with zero substance.

    And ugly slides that changed everything.

    I’ve seen managers who spent days polishing a report –

    and forgot to call their employee who’s falling apart.

    I’ve seen strategies that looked perfect on paper –

    and exploded in real life.

    ⸻

    The truth?

    Polish takes time.

    Time is energy.

    And energy is limited.

    Not everything should be perfect.

    Some things should just be good enough to move forward.

    That’s not laziness.

    It’s strategic sanity.

    That’s why smart managers are satisfizers – not optimizers.

    They don’t obsess over every detail.

    They push for momentum.

    They choose “Minimum Viable Product” over “Maximum Vanity Presentation.”

    They know the difference between progress…

    and performance for show.

    ⸻

    If you read all this –

    you’re exactly who I wanted to talk to.

    Now it’s your turn:

    What do you not obsess over anymore – and what did it free you to do?

    I’ll read every comment.

  • What’s My Real Contribution, Anyway?

    When I was a young engineer, I managed projects.

    I saw things happen.

    Concrete moved, structures rose, plans became reality.

    Every progress?

    I knew exactly where I made it happen.

    Then I got promoted.

    I started managing people.

    And suddenly…

    Everyone was doing the work.

    And me?

    I was just… talking about it.

    Reviewing. Coordinating. Calming. Pushing. Holding things together.

    And in the middle of all that –

    one small, stubborn question kept whispering:

    “What am I actually contributing?”

    “Is anything happening because of me?”

    Because let’s be honest –

    Managers don’t really do anything, right?

    We just… make things happen.

    And that hurt.

    For a while.

    I carried that question inside, quietly.

    Outside, I looked like a leader.

    Inside, I felt… replaceable.

    But over time, something shifted.

    Not because reality changed – but because my perspective did.

    I began to notice:

    The goals I had set – were the ones moving forward.

    The tone I brought – echoed through the team.

    The effort I invested – enabled everyone else’s effort.

    I didn’t do the work.

    But it happened – because of me.

    ⸻

    Management isn’t about ticking off tasks.

    It’s about setting direction, holding the space, and moving things forward.

    If you’ve ever asked yourself “What am I even worth here?” –

    just know: it means you’re a manager who feels.

    And not just performs.

  • About a decade ago – life pressed “Pause” on me.

    And not a small click.

    A long pause.

    I got sick.

    Badly.

    It was clear I’d need surgery.

    Complex. Long.

    Thirteen hours.

    When I woke up —

    I was hooked up to tubes.

    Machines.

    Getting treatments.

    I didn’t wake up like a fairy tale prince…

    More like a rough version of RoboCop on a bad day.

    But in the middle of all that?

    I felt in control.

    From the first moment I was awake —

    I felt I was in charge.

    Even though I wasn’t.

    Even though I had no strength.

    But something in me radiated presence.

    The atmosphere around me felt respectful.

    I felt authoritative — without effort.

    And then, on the fifth day,

    the head nurse came to me with an unusual request:

    “There’s a patient here.

    He’s afraid to go through the same surgery you had.

    Would you talk to him?

    Explain?”

    Imagine the scene:

    I can barely move.

    Tubes coming out of me in every direction…

    And she wants me

    to give someone else strength.

    So I talked to him.

    Explained.

    He went into surgery.

    And he made it.

    —

    But the truth?

    I wasn’t always like that.

    That sense of authority —

    so natural in that hospital room —

    didn’t come out of nowhere.

    It’s not some inborn trait.

    It’s not a “gift” you’re born with.

    It came from years of managing.

    Mistakes.

    Listening.

    Growth.

    Moments where I learned

    not just to manage —

    but to be present.

    —

    So if you’re thinking:

    “I’m not the authoritative type. That’s just not me…”

    Pause for a second.

    Authority isn’t about muscles.

    Or rank.

    It’s about the quiet you bring with you.

    And yes —

    it can be learned.

    Even when you’re hooked up

    to every monitor in the ward.

  • Leading by Example: Why Your Time Management Affects Everyone

    Post 8 and final in the series on Time Management for Managers

    Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored how to manage time—not to simply get more done, but to focus on what truly matters.

    We covered seven key principles:

    1. Distinguishing between important and urgent tasks.

    2. Delegating tasks effectively.

    3. Avoiding the trap of constantly reacting.

    4. Blocking time in your calendar.

    5. Understanding that time management is self-management.

    6. Setting smart boundaries.

    7. Leading by example—our final principle.

    My story:

    As a manager, I set a rule—once a week, everyone left early.

    And I made sure to follow it myself. Why? Because I knew that if I stayed late, my team would feel pressured to do the same.

    What difference did it make?

    • It freed them from the unspoken pressure to always stay late.

    • It legitimized work-life balance.

    • It created a culture of accountability for time.

    Years later, a manager who worked with me said:

    “Your example gave me the strength to be a leader who protects both my own well-being and my team’s.”

    The message is simple: Managing your time isn’t just for you—it influences everyone around you.

    How do you lead by example? Share your thoughts in the comments!

    Want practical tools to implement this? Download my free time management guide for managers + a series of bi-daily tips:

    📥 https://heartofmanagement.ravpage.co.il/free-guide

    Right now the guide is in Hebrew only.

    Thank you for being part of this series—now it’s your turn to lead the change!

  • Setting Boundaries: Why Managers Must Learn to Disconnect

    📌 Post 7 in the Time Management for Managers Series

    In management, there’s a hidden trap: the expectation to always be available—respond immediately, solve every issue, and keep a constant pulse on everything 24/7.

    The result? Work seeps into every free moment—at the expense of personal time, family, and the mental clarity needed for deep thinking.

    Why is this dangerous?

    • You get pulled into work late at night—leading to burnout.

    • Your brain never truly disconnects—reducing clarity and creativity.

    • Your team learns that constant availability is the norm—and everyone ends up exhausted.

    How to set smart boundaries?

    1️⃣ Define clear working hours – No emails at 2 AM.

    2️⃣ Block time in your calendar – Reserve slots for critical tasks and personal time. What’s not in your calendar won’t happen.

    3️⃣ Lead by example – When you maintain balance, your team learns it’s okay for them too.

    Want to turn this into a habit?

    I’ve created a free guide on time management for managers, packed with practical tools and a bi-daily tip series to help you apply them.

    📥 Download here: https://heartofmanagement.ravpage.co.il/free-guide

    Right now the guide is in Hebrew only.

    How do you set your boundaries as a manager? Share your thoughts in the comments!

  • Finding Time for What Truly Matters – How to Build Meaning into Your Schedule

    Post 6 in the Time Management for Managers series

    Managers often find themselves caught in a cycle of urgent tasks, endless meetings, and growing to-do lists. The result? They feel like they’re always busy but not necessarily productive.

    But here’s the real issue:

    • The way you spend your time defines the kind of leader you are.

    • If your time is consumed by daily firefighting, when will you focus on long-term impact?

    • If your calendar is full of others’ priorities, when will you prioritize your own growth?

    How to Make Time for What Truly Matters?

    In the Time Management Guide for Managers, I explain how to take control of your schedule, identify what truly matters, and structure your time so you can lead—not just react.

    Download the free guide here:

    (Currently, the guide is available in Hebrew only. If there’s enough interest, I’ll create an English version. If that interests you, let me know in the comments or via private message.)

  • “I Don’t Have Time to Think” – The Biggest Risk for Managers

    📌 Post 5 in the Time Management for Managers Series

    Management feels like an endless race of tasks, emails, meetings, and urgent issues… but wait, stop for a second—does this sound familiar?

    🤯 When was the last time you had time to truly think?

    Many managers realize that they’re so busy reacting to events that they can’t find time for strategic thinking, developing new ideas, or even just stepping back to see the bigger picture.

    🔹 The Problem:

    When every day is packed with tasks, meetings, and urgent issues that never stop…

    🚨 There’s no time to pause and think.

    🚨 There’s no time to plan ahead—so you just keep reacting day by day.

    🚨 Even decision-making becomes reactive—because there’s no time to consider better alternatives.

    📌 How do you break this cycle?

    In the Time Management Guide for Managers, I explain exactly how to carve out time for thinking, how to protect it so it doesn’t get swallowed by urgent tasks, and how to turn it into a regular habit—so you can manage instead of just reacting.

    📥 Download it here:

    https://heartofmanagement.ravpage.co.il/free-guide

    (Currently, the guide is available in Hebrew only. If enough people are interested, I’ll create an English version. If that interests you—let me know in the comments or send me a private message!)

  • Lead or Execute? Why Managers Struggle to Delegate Tasks

    📌 Post 4 in the Time Management for Managers Series

    Many managers fall into the same trap:

    “I’ll just do it myself; it’ll be faster.”

    Or:

    “If I want it done right, I should do it myself.”

    🤦‍♂️ And what happens in reality?

    Their schedule fills up with execution-level tasks, while the strategic ones—the ones that truly make an impact—get pushed aside.

    🔹 Delegating tasks is not about offloading work—it’s a managerial skill

    Delegation isn’t about “getting rid of tasks”; it’s about managing effectively:

    ✅ When you delegate correctly, you don’t just free up time—you develop your team.

    ✅ When you insist on doing everything yourself, you become a bottleneck that slows everyone down.

    ✅ When you fail to delegate, you send a message to your team: “I don’t really trust you.”

    📌 So how do you do it right?

    Many managers struggle with how to delegate tasks without things falling through the cracks.

    📘 In the Time Management Guide for Managers, I explain how to delegate tasks smartly, avoid common mistakes, and build a more independent team.

    🔵 If you’re serious about managing your time effectively and want practical tools to apply—I’ve created a free guide just for managers.

    Plus, you’ll receive a bi-daily tip series to help you turn insights into real habits.

    📥 Download here –

    https://heartofmanagement.ravpage.co.il/free-guide

    (Currently, the guide is available in Hebrew only. If there’s enough interest, I’ll create an English version. If that’s something you’d like—let me know in the comments or via private message!)

  • Are You Working Hard – But Not Moving Forward?

    Post 3 in the Time Management for Managers Series

    Many managers I meet feel like they’re busy from morning to night – yet they’re not making real progress.

    They end their workday feeling like they didn’t accomplish what truly matters, even though they worked non-stop.

    The problem isn’t the number of hours – it’s how they’re managed.

    Time management isn’t just about getting more done; it’s about dedicating time to what truly drives progress.

    But that’s nearly impossible when your entire day is filled with small tasks, endless meetings, and firefighting.

    So, how do you break this cycle?

    📌 Effective managers don’t just work harder – they work smarter.

    To manage time instead of being managed by it, shift the question:

    Instead of asking, “How do I finish everything?” → Ask “What should I really be spending my time on?”

    A small change in mindset can have a massive impact on your entire day.

    For managers committed to improving their time management, I created a unique Time Management Guide for Managers:

    🔵 It’s not about generic productivity tips – it focuses on how managers should manage their time to lead, influence, and create real balance.

    🔵 It comes with a bi-daily tips series – designed to turn insights into practical habits.

    🔵 The guide is based on 30 years of hands-on management experience, leading thousands of employees, hundreds of managers, and major brands.

    📥 Download it here – Link in the first comment

    (Currently, the guide is available in Hebrew only. If there’s enough interest, I’ll create an English version. If this interests you – let me know in the comments or via DM!)