Re: [SAGE] Managers who "engineer"

[Mike Hoskins <mhoskins@coat.com>]

I hear the frustration in your message. In fact, I have lived in 
similar situations to yours.

The level of interference from management depends on a lot of things
including the history of the manager. If they came from a technical
background it can go to either extreme - very open to input and wanting
to understand more or "I know how this works, don't try to correct me".
The level of the manager can also be an issue. If the manager is on the
top level there may be no one above them who can push influence down to
them. It varies completely from individual to individual. The political
corporate situation can be another part of the puzzle. If the manager
has been beaten up by the management above them, the manager may be
trying to do everything possible to prevent additional flogging from
above.

The ability to influence a change in that view depends on your ability
to sell the manager and his willingness to be sold. The only way to
start the process of change is to document the issues carefully. The
next step is to sort through the myriad of possible ways to present the
material. That selection will be influenced by the temperament of the
manager. The presentation of the material must be done so as to not
alienate the individual.

In Defense of Managers! Egad!

I have worked for both ends of the spectrum. There are times when a
manager who is too easily agreeable can be an issue too. If they don't
push back from time to time and insist on understanding, which makes you
think the matter through and present it completely, bad decisions can be
made. It's can be as bad as a manager who tries to stay too involved.
There is a balance and it is not always the easiest balance to strike.
There are also occasionally issues that are not visible to you that
affect the actions and decisions of an individual manager.

Avoid the "Us vs. Them" mentality. It may appear that is all you have
left but it is ultimately self-defeating. Been there, done that, got the
t-shirt - had no fun.

I may be stating the obvious here, but at the risk of doing so here
goes. If you decide to present your case it must be done either
privately or in an extremely small and senior group. The manager can not
be put on the defensive in a public forum. The damage to your cause may
be irreparable. Keep the tone of the discussion positive and avoid
letting frustration take over. Finally, give them a way to win. The goal
must include a victory for the manager. A spoon full of sugar will help
them take the message upward to senior management or to their peers and
be able to support themselves and the decision politically. In the
process you are seen as a team player from their perspective. Part of
our job is to make them look good.

My .02,
Mike
-- 
Mike Hoskins/Sys Mgmt Supv  <IXOYE><   Burlington Coat Factory
voice 609/387-7800 x2554              Systems Management
fax 609/387-2764                    1830 North Rt #130         
mike.hoskins@coat.com             Burlington, NJ  08016