Why Are Good Managers So Rare?

I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal, and it completely articulates to the masses what I've been saying just about forever. It essentially asks managers to get out of their people's way.

BOOM. Simple. And yet, the article points out that this is probably one of the hardest things for most managers to do. And after reading some more, I think I know why. Ego.

See, a lot of managers think they're where they are because they're WAY better than anyone else on their team. That belies a pyramid type system. So, when managers believe their own hype and think they're there to be the best, and not trusting your team to bring their strengths to the table, they simply get in the way.

This hierarchical style of leadership isn't always wrong, but it's almost never right in terms of productivity and efficiency. It means that no matter what the team is doing, they need to stop to listen to the words of wisdom of their manager, or do new tasks they weren't expecting as a means to answer a manager's question.

Either one takes the team's eye off the ball and derails any momentum the team may be experiencing. That's just ridiculous.

Great and even good managers know enough to trust their teams, revel in the strengths each team member brings to the group, and works to serve their team, not the other way around.

It's a simple concept, really. The best leaders see their role as that of being a servant of their team, a facilitator of achievement and accomplishment for their team members. They don't see teams as their minions or servants to please them at every turn.

This doesn't mean a leader can't correct or even scold team members for inappropriate behavior or less than stellar results. But, a servant leader will help the team member understand what went wrong, and then coach the team member in finding better ways to behave or achieve.

No forcing or shoving anger and shame down anyone's throat. Instead, an interactive method of improvement that's meaningful for the employee and has a much better chance of resulting in true positive change for all involved.

In any case, it's simply baffling to me how many toxic leaders are out there. And while there are definitely some good and great leaders out there, I fear that toxic and shitty leaders with huge egos dominate American business.

So, if you're reading this, and are a leader, or hope to one day become one, please heed these words. You'll get so much more out of your team when you believe your purpose is to serve your team instead of your team serving you.

The outcome, the goal, the objective is so much more important than any one person, or their toxic ego. When the team wins, everyone wins. And you're still the super leader because you trusted your team enough to get out of their way and let them be awesome without your stupid childish need to feel relevant weighing them down.

Here's the article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bosses-get-out-of-your-employees-way-11572228361