Comments on: A Fun Take on Whether Managers Are Manageable http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/04/a-fun-take-on-whether-managers-are-manageable/ A weekly stimulant for those who lead Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:46:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: G. Thomas http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/04/a-fun-take-on-whether-managers-are-manageable/#comment-38897 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:21:51 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/04/a-fun-take-on-whether-managers-are-manageable/#comment-38897 Hello Dan, You correctly question me on "do I look at my own reflection?" The answer is, generally, yes. My biggest challenge is my bluntness; what I think is often stated and not "managed" for it's effect. I give what is too honest an opinion. So guess what? "I'm not a "team player" sometimes. And, you guessed it! Paper to the nose! Especially as a "outsider," Read (diversity). Now, I'm not the angry-male, you-owe-me type. I manager HR issues and give management good advice to prevent staff problems, yet that assistance is, often, viewed as obstruction or being thin-skinned (as the diverse member of the "team"). Conspiracy Theorist, no, just still treated like the new kid on the team after 11 years yet being very processionally informed of my field. So, managing up and being labeled "thin-skinned" for the effort often has me looking at my reflection, for many complex social reasons; managing-up is a major reason why I do much questing of my reality. The "are you SURE of what you're stating is CORRECT" is very tiring and is a major part of the lower-monkey/higher- monkey dynamic dimension. Hello Dan, You correctly question me on “do I look at my own reflection?” The answer is, generally, yes. My biggest challenge is my bluntness; what I think is often stated and not “managed” for it’s effect. I give what is too honest an opinion. So guess what? “I’m not a “team player” sometimes. And, you guessed it! Paper to the nose! Especially as a “outsider,” Read (diversity). Now, I’m not the angry-male, you-owe-me type. I manager HR issues and give management good advice to prevent staff problems, yet that assistance is, often, viewed as obstruction or being thin-skinned (as the diverse member of the “team”). Conspiracy Theorist, no, just still treated like the new kid on the team after 11 years yet being very processionally informed of my field. So, managing up and being labeled “thin-skinned” for the effort often has me looking at my reflection, for many complex social reasons; managing-up is a major reason why I do much questing of my reality. The “are you SURE of what you’re stating is CORRECT” is very tiring and is a major part of the lower-monkey/higher- monkey dynamic dimension.

]]> by: JxnChicory http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/04/a-fun-take-on-whether-managers-are-manageable/#comment-38854 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:20:52 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/04/a-fun-take-on-whether-managers-are-manageable/#comment-38854 You are undeniably correct when you say many underling monkeyss fear heads would roll if the boss suspects she's being "managed." Of course, a truly good "boss" monkey feels secure about leading the group, appreciates the input and support of all the TEAM monkeys, and does not feel threatened by them. Those with intractably, know-it-all bosses might find opportunities in starting their own businesses which they can then operate using more positive monkeyshines. ;D You are undeniably correct when you say many underling monkeyss fear heads would roll if the boss suspects she’s being “managed.” Of course, a truly good “boss” monkey feels secure about leading the group, appreciates the input and support of all the TEAM monkeys, and does not feel threatened by them. Those with intractably, know-it-all bosses might find opportunities in starting their own businesses which they can then operate using more positive monkeyshines. ;D

]]> by: dan http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/04/a-fun-take-on-whether-managers-are-manageable/#comment-37740 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:03:44 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/04/a-fun-take-on-whether-managers-are-manageable/#comment-37740 G. Thomas, I don't agree with you that most managers "don't or will not" see their reflection in the mirror. But here's the interesting question: do you? The entire point of that sentence that you excerpted was that each of us can look at our <em><strong>own</strong></em> self. Not sure if you manage anyone - whether in a strict or loose sense, but do you look in the mirrorr? I suspect that you do, but that you may have some reticence, some unease about looking at your faults, and so you are like most managers and most humans. It's not easy to look at ourselves clearly, and it's hard to have others do that.  So, parents and other managers do, as you put it so graphically!  "sling their mess."  I agree with you on that. I still get mad at my <em><strong>kids</strong></em> for little things when <em><strong>I've</strong></em> had a bad day, but I'm willing to look at that. I think most managers are willing - in the right context - to look at their foibles, including "slignging the mess."  But, again, they're human; they have fear of not measuring up, of being criticized, etc. So, managing up take cares and strategy.  It can be dangerous work. Your third point is the most sad, though. "Wait out" the bad managers (or coworkers), you say. The cost of that is so high. I loved the Heath piece on "monkeys" specifically because it offered a different strategy than "wait it out." Can I invite you to take a second look???? Are you sure you can't do some of what they're talking about? Because in your current "wait it out" situation, I wonder how you would describe your status, state of mind, etc., in the monkey world where your boss rules? What is your picture of yourself in that village of (human) monkeys?  I suspect it's not great.  So, why not act to change it? G. Thomas,

I don’t agree with you that most managers “don’t or will not” see their reflection in the mirror. But here’s the interesting question: do you? The entire point of that sentence that you excerpted was that each of us can look at our own self. Not sure if you manage anyone - whether in a strict or loose sense, but do you look in the mirrorr?

I suspect that you do, but that you may have some reticence, some unease about looking at your faults, and so you are like most managers and most humans. It’s not easy to look at ourselves clearly, and it’s hard to have others do that.  So, parents and other managers do, as you put it so graphically!  ”sling their mess.”  I agree with you on that. I still get mad at my kids for little things when I’ve had a bad day, but I’m willing to look at that. I think most managers are willing - in the right context - to look at their foibles, including “slignging the mess.”  But, again, they’re human; they have fear of not measuring up, of being criticized, etc. So, managing up take cares and strategy.  It can be dangerous work.

Your third point is the most sad, though. “Wait out” the bad managers (or coworkers), you say. The cost of that is so high. I loved the Heath piece on “monkeys” specifically because it offered a different strategy than “wait it out.” Can I invite you to take a second look???? Are you sure you can’t do some of what they’re talking about? Because in your current “wait it out” situation, I wonder how you would describe your status, state of mind, etc., in the monkey world where your boss rules? What is your picture of yourself in that village of (human) monkeys?  I suspect it’s not great.  So, why not act to change it?

]]> by: G. Thomas http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/04/a-fun-take-on-whether-managers-are-manageable/#comment-36284 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:27:29 +0000 http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2008/04/a-fun-take-on-whether-managers-are-manageable/#comment-36284 "...The ‘boss as monkey” theory raises plenty of questions, but in two short pages the Heaths offer an intriguing idea for managing your manager. It’s also an interesting mirror to hold up to yourself as the monkey-manager!..." First, most, if not all 'monkey-managers' don't, or will not, see their reflection in any mirror! Two, such managers, just love to sling their "mess" to the less powerful 'monkeys' with glee. It is mostly the younger 'monkeys' that get caught by the 'monkey-managers' "antics" in these situations. As you point out: "... it takes a LONG time to train a monkey! So you have to patiently seize and celebrate all the small wins along the way." Gee, we have learned (or need to learn) to wait out these types of managers (or other co-workers). “…The ‘boss as monkey” theory raises plenty of questions, but in two short pages the Heaths offer an intriguing idea for managing your manager. It’s also an interesting mirror to hold up to yourself as the monkey-manager!…” First, most, if not all ‘monkey-managers’ don’t, or will not, see their reflection in any mirror! Two, such managers, just love to sling their “mess” to the less powerful ‘monkeys’ with glee. It is mostly the younger ‘monkeys’ that get caught by the ‘monkey-managers’ “antics” in these situations. As you point out: “… it takes a LONG time to train a monkey! So you have to patiently seize and celebrate all the small wins along the way.” Gee, we have learned (or need to learn) to wait out these types of managers (or other co-workers).

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