Your manager has a default management mantra. You see it when they are not paying attention and a problem—large or small—presents itself. It’s the sound and shape of their first reaction. Their default reaction. And after a few months, everyone knows their mantra.
Here are a couple of my least favorite mantras. I’m going to first explain the worst-case scenario for each of these mantras. I’ll follow up with an explanation of why I believe this manager ended up with his approach. Then I’ll explain with empathy the best-case scenario for this practice and why you should squint your eyes when ...
