Trigger Question #174:
Once upon a time, smart people encouraged managers to MBWA. I don’t think there are many managers of my generation still managing, so I will now explain what MBWA means. It is shorthand for Manage By Wandering Around.
Back then, those smart people told us to manage by being “out there” where the action was, not hiding in our offices. This explains another reason working from home does not work. At least not if you are a manager. Where are you supposed to wander around at home when you want to MBWA? Where will you find any action?
The best you can do when you manage from your home office is to MBWA. No, not by wandering around. By wondering about. (I won’t explain this again. You can read about it here: nonsenseatwork.com/in20/ It’s called How to Be a Real Manager on Vacation.)
Whether we wander or wonder, we’ve always had MBAW, and we still have it today. Managing By Assuming Worst. (Yes, I know there is a little “the” missing, but it looks better without it.)
I’m sure you have seen parents who manage this way. They monitor their kids as if the worst will happen, even as they silently hope for the best. Maybe your parents managed you that way, which could explain why it is now your preferred parenting style, even if you are not a parent. (Unless you are a natural rebel. If so, well done.)
Which could also explain why MBAW is so popular at the office (where natural rebels are not welcome). Many managers seem instinctively to manage, not simply by assuming the worst, but by actively defending against the worst. And they ignore the bit about hoping for the best. Why is that?
I’ll tell you why. Your bosses might promote you if you convince the best to make an appearance, but they will fire you if the worst unfolds.
I don’t blame the manager who uses MBAW. I blame the organizational culture. More specifically, I blame the bosses who don’t encourage at work the management style used by competent parents:
They bravely walk the fine line between encouraging the best while watchful for the worst.
Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.
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Quote of the Moment:
“Lately, the more the world turns, the better I am at assuming the worst. But I remain watchful to welcome the best.” The Chief Nonsense Officer.
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