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so, toxic management structures have been on my mind for no particular reason, and i have Some Thoughts. 1/
a lot of bad management is founded in an obsession with hierarchy. “i worked my way up and so should you.” “you will respect my authority – or else.” which, apart from being controlling and unfortunate, leads to a mindset of scarcity. 2/
if your mindset is “there are only so many good roles,” then of course your bias is going to be to give them to those you consider to be of equal/higher status – or if they’re not, folks who you know are unlikely to challenge the power structure that got you where you are. 3/
constantly having to maintain a grip on said power structure (often a self-reinforcing loop bc the people under you don’t like or trust you) is exhausting. when you’re already tired + someone comes along who doesn’t toe the line + you don’t have other skills, then what? 4/
thennn, you might double down on your extant management style. and i want to pause here to underscore the difference between management and leadership. 5/
leadership looks forward. good leaders see where they want to go, and want their team to get there alongside. 6/
management looks down. in terms of a lack of respect for those they should be leading, in terms of being shortsighted, and in terms of their primary focus being strict control over the people on their team. 7/
in italian, maneggiare basically means “to keep your hands on.” like you’d handle a tool, or mold clay, or lay hands on a horse. cuando si maneggia qualcosa, you’re keeping it well in hand.
which works with clay, but not when you have to keep them paws on a person. 8/
which works with clay, but not when you have to keep them paws on a person. 8/
there is nuance here, as in all things. but in general:
management is obsessed with control.
leadership is focused on results. 9/
management is obsessed with control.
leadership is focused on results. 9/
i’ve had direct reports in the past, and it is HARD. you have to hold individuals in your head as distinct, messy, talented humans full of potential, while also balancing the workings of the team. and if you’re really good, fostering intra-team growth you’re not even part of. 10/
management should not be something that’s handed to you because there’s no other way to move up in your career:
which is the case in far too many industries, and is basically tossing people random other humans as a pat on the head for good behavior. not a cute lewk. 11/
which is the case in far too many industries, and is basically tossing people random other humans as a pat on the head for good behavior. not a cute lewk. 11/
leadership understands people systems: where folks excel, what helps them thrive, and how everyone can benefit. when you hire and assign based on who is the best at something, rather than based on whom you most see yourself reflected in, you can take your hands off the wheel. 12/
i have been lucky enough to have some truly incredible bosses. my very first one, right out of college, said he liked to hire good people and then get out of the way. 13/
he’s the one who supported me in the move from being his assistant/admin to launching the first communications strategy for MIT’s largest interdisciplinary lab.
i was 23 years old.
14/
i was 23 years old.
14/
if i am confident at work, it’s because i learned to be, was taught to be, by people i respected who used their power to lift me + others up.
so while i'm just as susceptible to persistent negging as anyone else, if i don’t respect my detractor it WILL wear off. 15/
so while i'm just as susceptible to persistent negging as anyone else, if i don’t respect my detractor it WILL wear off. 15/
i was talking to @jennammm today about aries pride. and i realized racism means it would take a lot of work for me to be TOO proud. Black women have to be borderline arrogant just to have a normal life, plus we’ve often had to work harder to get the same results as our peers. 16/
if i weren’t proud, there are a few past workplaces that would have eaten me alive. a couple have tried their damnedest. but, inconveniently, i appear to still be here. 17/
so i want to give a shoutout to all the amazing bosses (and to the people who might not have direct power over anyone, but are using their power in support of others behind closed doors). 18/
there are some truly amazing leaders out there, and the best i can hope for under capitalism is that everyone works with one someday.
their existence is how we get past the bad ones, and back to actually being able to do our best work – and, perhaps, even back to ourselves. /end
their existence is how we get past the bad ones, and back to actually being able to do our best work – and, perhaps, even back to ourselves. /end
