Arguments with Trains

For years, managers have been sold a bill of goods that feeds their egos but perpetuates their self-destructive behavior. That behavior also hurts their teams. Perhaps that's why turnover in IT was so high when times were good. If people loved what they were doing and who they were doing it with, including their managers, they wouldn't have been jumping ship for more money. There's more to life than lucre, and even IT people know it.

When management complexity writers talk about managers intentionally moving their organizations to the edge of chaos, they miss the mark. Managers are supposed to be special, able to take a step back and tinker with the organization. The people being tinkered with don't have that freedom. Most ...

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