Management and Self Replicating Bullshit

Bullshit bag

Perhaps you can relate to this and if not maybe you will just catch a glimpse at what I suspect is not a new phenomenon just one that is being cleverly packaged and marketed to unsuspecting workers.

It seems today in order to do business and especially in corporate America one has to find a way to create and perpetuate bullshit. I suspect that this is accomplished by hiring one asshole manager that has become proficient in generating copious amounts of bullshit which in turn affects everyone else down the ladder. For you see, those beneath the asshole now perceive that the way to get to the upper rungs is by producing enough bullshit to fertilize a small agricultural nation. Perhaps not a rule but the perceived path to advancement appears to require the ability to shit and shit as often as possible. Thereby  the entire corporate culture is polluted with foul, nasty bullshit.

You see the problem with this approach is that eventually management is up to its ears in bullshit and the only way to get themselves out of it is to remove not only the bullshitters they helped to create but themselves as well. Fat chance of that happening! What else can they do? Reality is about perception. If you can control the environment then you can easily convince those around you that the bullshit is actually the proper way to conduct business. That bullshit is necessary and valuable. That ridding yourself of those who do not want the bullshit is actually better for all.

Ah yes the sound logic of management. Lets accept the bullshit because its the only thing that hides our own ineptness.

I’m tired of all the “how to increase productivity ” bullshit. Do want to know how to increase productivity? It’s simple, have zero tolerance for bullshit. People are happier with the less bullshit they have to deal with at work. Happy people work harder.

I’m tired of all the “analyze, strategize, synergize, align,…” (add any other corporate jargon bullshit word to the list) bullshit. The mission is clear. Work hard so we and hopefully you can make more money. Whats wrong with saying that? Why do we need these grandiose mission statements that are really bullshit dressed as manure?

I’m tired of you creating bullshit because you have nothing else to do. Yep, we all know busy work or work based on not having a clear direction. The, “Hmmm what can I ask my staff to do on top of their existing workload that might me look like I have a vision for…”. Just stop it. See point one.

The greatest insult to the modern worker was saying that management was a discipline that was to be separate from the labor force. If managers continued to do the work of their subordinates they would be less inclined to heap on piles and piles of bullshit. Productivity is easily measured and does not requires bullshit to analyze it.

Follow My Lead

Follow the Leader

This is the first time in my career where I have the opportunity to work with some one who has climbed up through the ranks and is willing to share their experience with those subordinate to them. However I must say  that not every manager is a leader, despite how well they manage their staff.

Leadership and management are not always synonymous. I guess when you really break down the definitions of each this becomes even more apparent. Would you agree with me in saying that leadership is about having vision and being able to work with a team to accomplish that vision? Whereas management would be more of keeping a team working but not necessarily working towards a greater purpose. I think leadership, at least good leadership, will encompass management skills. Management perhaps is a discipline that may not have leadership.

Leadership often involves taking risks. The willingness to go out on a limb to acheive an objective. Whereas management is more about keeping the status quo, making sure that things continue to run as smoothly as possible. That said I can see why CEOs and other high ranking executives are considered the leadership of an organization. The vision rests with them and they coordinate the efforts of the organization to realize that vision. They lead the organization to the vision. Much like a general will lead his troops to victory or defeat. The vision is either realized or not.

There are countless books on leadership and how to lead and strategies for leading. I think what it all really comes down to is having a vision and being willing to accept the risks, consequences and rewards of moving to fulfill that vision. Without that you are still following in the footsteps of others.