I wanted to carry on the fun but your rebuttal gave me pause to reflect, and I realised two things, one being that I was not entirely fair in my characterisation of management, the other being that by taking the sarcastic approach I wasn't projecting my values effectively either.

I'm not a big fan of the "I was only joking" routine so I'll take the time to try and straighten myself out.

In the context of the linked article, I chose to read it through the skewed lens of a ham-fisted metrics-driven management-stereotype who doesn't pause to consider the cultural and productivity impacts of half baked and reactive policy directives, leading to much chaos and dismay.

In actual fairness, I would say most managers I've had the pleasure of working under or alongside are not like this at all. I have worked with some truly excellent managers. The stereotype I called on is in my experience much rarer, usually new to the role or inexperienced, but it is what I've seen cause the most cultural and productivity damage in organisations which is why my reaction skewed in that direction.

If I am being totally honest with myself, when I first found myself in a management position, having ratcheted up from a development background, I was naïve and very much process focussed, and acted like every problem could be solved with additional or more detailed instructions. There was definitely also projection here on my behalf.

Nowadays I take a more measured and analytical approach to things in general, being thrust into management was a very tough learning curve but was also ultimately rewarding in terms of personal growth and professional development.

I definitely shouldn't be here taking my frustrations of the day out on random articles, even if thinly veiled in jest. I should have written some music or put on an audiobook instead...

Having said that, I couldn't resist one more before I turn in for the evening.

------------

Failure to acknowledge receipt of this email by COB will be considered an act of mutiny, and all dissidents will be fed directly to the server room boilers.

This is your first and only warning.

------------

Anyway, have a good day / night.