management by wandering about” (MBWA), first described by…
““management by wandering about” (MBWA), first described by Peters & Waterman in their book, In Search of Excellence. 12 MBWA is, well, walking about your place of work seeing how your colleagues are; finding out what’s going on; following up on projects; being visible; saying what you want to say one-to-one; and helping the atmosphere as you go.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A leadership practice of informally walking around to observe, listen, and engage with employees to improve communication and morale.
In simple terms: Leaders should be present and approachable.
Key Takeaway
Be visible and listen actively.
Themes
leadership
communication
engagement
Mood
encouraging
collaborative
Type
practical
motivational
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- daily rounds
- project follow‑ups
- employee check‑ins
Key Concepts
Management by wandering
organizational culture
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your presence affect team trust?
- What signals does your behavior send?
A Different Perspective
May be seen as micromanagement if not genuine.