Effective managers generally subscribe to the old saying, “Without backup data, you are just another person with an opinion.” They liken the impact of influence efforts to the establishment of a knowledge base. They also assess the impact of individual efforts such as helping a given employee overcome obstacles. As employees move from dependence to independence, managers see the results of their hard work. They receive some return for the influence they have expended.

In one sense, if you have staff members who disagree with you, who question your decisions, who challenge some of your pronouncements, you are to be commended. Clearly, if they feel free to do this, then you have established a culture that respects freedom of thought and expression. ...

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