Pathways into management...

[lew1275]

Hi All,

I hardly ever post on here. Basically i've been doing my postie job for about 5 months now. Mixed feelings, being out in the sun is lovely, in the rain its bleedin' horrible but my pay isnt bad for an 18 year old! I've been lucky enough to get a rural job delivering in a small village, prepping the mail round the back of a post office in a small room with 3 other posties.

Basically, i'll probs get a lot of stick for this, but what ways are there to get into management? It's something I would like to consider already. I know i'll probs get a load of replies saying 'why the hell would you want to be a manager', ' your too young!' etc etc, but just wanted some views.

The reasons I want to go for a "higher position" position, so to put it, is basically I do not intend to make a career by staying with Royal Mail. I'm currently learning to fly and nearly at the point of achieving my private pilots licence and from then on wish continue to fund my professional/commercial pilot training whilst still working for RM as my ultimate goal is to become a commerical airline pilot. As you may expect, managing is a key role should one wish to enter this type of profession, hence by getting on the management pathway within RM would put me in good stead and hopefully look better on my CV!

Hope to hear your views!

Lewis

(Hope this is the right forum! I'll stick it in here seen as it gets a lot of views everyday lol!)

[moggymoz]

Hi All,

I hardly ever post on here. Basically i've been doing my postie job for about 5 months now. Mixed feelings, being out in the sun is lovely, in the rain its bleedin' horrible but my pay isnt bad for an 18 year old! I've been lucky enough to get a rural job delivering in a small village, prepping the mail round the back of a post office in a small room with 3 other posties.

Basically, i'll probs get a lot of stick for this, but what ways are there to get into management? It's something I would like to consider already. I know i'll probs get a load of replies saying 'why the hell would you want to be a manager', ' your too young!' etc etc, but just wanted some views.

The reasons I want to go for a "higher position" position, so to put it, is basically I do not intend to make a career by staying with Royal Mail. I'm currently learning to fly and nearly at the point of achieving my private pilots licence and from then on wish continue to fund my professional/commercial pilot training whilst still working for RM as my ultimate goal is to become a commerical airline pilot. As you may expect, managing is a key role should one wish to enter this type of profession, hence by getting on the management pathway within RM would put me in good stead and hopefully look better on my CV!

Hope to hear your views!

Lewis

(Hope this is the right forum! I'll stick it in here seen as it gets a lot of views everyday lol!)

my god its bad enough using your car on delivery, but a plane thats just taking it to far

[smokerjim]

It's it fair idea, just one slight flaw - you won't learn any management skills at RM. I learnt more management skills flipping burgers at McDonald's ( I'm not lying - for example always temper criticism with praise " I think you spend too long dealing with individual customers, allowing queues too build up, but you are friendly and helpful to all customers." ) Of the managers I've worked with at RM ( over a score, in three years and 2 DOs ) two have management skills - one is a temp DOM at another office, the other has thrown in the towel, taken retirement & got a job in a mailroom in the City.

If you want to see management skills in action, the best place you could find them is in a cold calling telesales environment - I hated the job, and couldn't do it for toffee....but most of the managers were really inspirational & helpful. I saw better man management there in 3 months than I have at RM.

If you are determined to learn from RM, closely observe everything your managers do.....then try and do the opposite.

[smokerjim]

my god its bad enough using your car on delivery, but a plane thats just taking it to far

Better not have any mis-sorts

[lew1275]

Thanks for the quick advice so far

I have another question that i missed out, and a serious one (because i'm very curious!!)....WHAT DO MANAGERS ACTUALLY SPEND ALL DAY DOING?

[moggymoz]

Thanks for the quick advice so far

I have another question that i missed out, and a serious one (because i'm very curious!!)....WHAT DO MANAGERS ACTUALLY SPEND ALL DAY DOING?

there usually on the 9th tee on the golf course at about the time your finishing your delivery, then its the club house till 6ish and then home to bed.

[dvbuk55]

Thanks for the quick advice so far

I have another question that i missed out, and a serious one (because i'm very curious!!)....WHAT DO MANAGERS ACTUALLY SPEND ALL DAY DOING?

Not a lot - but this higher position - you have tried the top of the wardrobe I take it

[steviemac]

Managers for RM are not allowed to 'manage'. Common sense alongside building a rapport with staff are not RM qualities, simply do as instructed by area manager without question and you'll be fine, despised by all ,but fine for RM.

[pony]

If you tell them your plan then they probably wont even consider you anyway.Why train someone who will leave the business?
You must have a manager of some sorts even if you work from a post office.Tell him you're interested and you could get a dom support post somewhere.
I think though it will take a while to get anywhere and probably not get a proper managers post before you become a pilot.
I don't think a royal mail manager is thought of in that high regard tbh.Any one who has thick skin can do it.

[Stormproof]

If you are a cr@p postie who does the job incorrectly, makes constant mistakes, carves the job up etc, you will make a good lineo. Also you must like to drink lots of coffee, sitting at the PC all day to see if your winning your ebay bid, say yes to everything your DOM says even if you disagree and mastering the art of leaning on yorks.

[DGP1]

Like most of the other postings, RM is not the place for any sort of manager that is even the slightest bit good at managing, you'd be better off going to work in McDonalds or Tesco because they are not ditatorships that run a 'Command and Obey' structure.

[TeeferTiger]

To be honest, you'll learn quite a bit on the Work Place Coach course. They teach you all about coaching which is more or less what a manager should be doing. They tell you how to deal with people, situation etc. Managers are just messengers from further up the line and just spend time doing reports, bugger all and screwing up a budget.

Ask your DOM about getting onto the course if there's a vacancy for one in your office.

Personally, I don't actually see anyone to coach at the moment due the shifts I'm doing... Good job I've plenty of other work to keep me occupied! (Roll on the school visit tomorrow afternoon...)

[johnsouthwales]

exactly..