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I think part of the problem is that in the Old Days, in order to be a
manager, you had to start out as a peon, and work your way up to management
by demonstrating that you were capable. So managers got hands-on experience
and insights in how companies worked, and learned practical management
skills under fire.
Now, any borderline-functional idiot can go get an MBA, but it doesn't
necessarily qualify them to actually manage anything. It means that they
will know how to write reports and do power point presentations, and throw
around buzz words like "benchmark" and "deliverables", but it doesn't mean
that they can actually THINK and problem-solve.
I'll never forget the first time i had to work for one of those types. In a
status meeting, I mentioned some task that needed doing, and he said "Make
that an ACTION ITEM". Seeing my own puzzlement reflected on my colleagues
faces, I responded with "uh... does that mean you want me to go ahead and do
it?"
This guy knew how to increase our workload by requesting ongoing streams of
info for reports, and wasted tons of time in useless meetings to discuss
these reports, but was unable to provide any useful input into how we did
our jobs. He knew some business theory, but had no idea how or when to apply
any of it.
Lynne Wright
Technical Communications
Positron Inc.
5101 Buchan St. H4P 2R9
(514) 345-2200
fax: 345-2272
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