When a manager cannot let go or trust subordinates to do their job sufficiently, the micromanager steps in and either does it themself, or insists the job be done their way. The subsequent organizational results include lowered unit morale,… Read More ›
A common criticism of management, is the announcement of an important decision with little explanation, rationale, or indication of the precise results they hope to achieve. When it’s a senior management decision junior managers have to explain to their workforce,… Read More ›
Abandoning Ship is a close relative of rejecting blame but it has a different set of dynamics and insidiousness. Picture a lively meeting between a manager and staff. Collectively they have a challenging problem to solve and are discussing various… Read More ›
All managers, by definition are the “Captain of the ship”. They are responsible and accountable for everything that happens beneath their authority. Yet there are managers, who when things around them go amiss, quickly find reasons — by their… Read More ›
Almost all of us have had to deal with a boss whose own management style and set of management skills left something to be desired. Managing up — as it is called — is relatively easy when one’s boss has… Read More ›
There are certain types of workplace problems that few managers wish to confront. For example: A personal hygiene issue; The frequent use of inappropriate language around co-workers; A suspected alcohol or drug abuse issue; A suspected violation of workplace time… Read More ›
On November 22, 1968 Japan Airlines Flight 2, a DC 8, was scheduled to land at San Francisco International airport. In heavy fog, its Captain Kohei Asoh, not adequately trained on the plane’s new flight director, landed his aircraft in San… Read More ›
What do you call the phenomena when a group of people silently agree on the dubious merits of an idea or course of action but either remain silent, or agree to do it anyway? George Washington Psychology Professor the late… Read More ›
Some time ago, I read a “New York Times” article by Wolf Biermann, a German author who has lived on both sides of the Berlin Wall. Its title was The Tragedy of Angela Merkel. In explaining the conundrum he… Read More ›
When many of us hear the words faith or belief, we think of religion. So I often receive a strange look from others when I tell them that most of the decisions we make in life are also based on our faith… Read More ›
What Best Mnagers Know & Do 