Just say No to the new managerial cult of Yes

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Full story http://www.ftd.de/karriere_management/b ... 56291.html

relevant extracts

Of course, managers have to be able to say yes too, otherwise their organisations would shrivel up and die. But No is the norm, the basic rule, while Yes is for special occasions (yes, you can have a pay rise, yes your idea is brilliant.)

Put like this it sounds banal, though actually it's heresy. An illogical love of Yes is the basis for all modern management thought. The ideal modern manager is meant to be enabling, empowering, encouraging and nurturing, which means that his default position must be Yes. By contrast, No is considered demotivating, uncreative and a thoroughly bad thing.

Even sensible managers claim to support this view. Allan Leighton, who, as chairman at Royal Mail, is boldly saying no to the demands of workers (who are in turn responding by saying no to delivering my mail), professes to believe in Yes. At a recent breakfast he was heard sneering at "the incredible no-man" and "business prevention units".

[lovejoy]

sensible managers and allan leighton in the same sentance???!!!