That last one is so true!

Further defence of managers..

I am not a manager, never have been.  I have had some really crap managers.

Managers are NOT there to do the work.  They are there to manage.  One manager apologised to me that he had not been able to help during an insane rush of work (the computer had sent 25,000 letters a month early).  I said "This isn't your job.  When we have our noses to the coal face, your job is to step back and take a wider picture and direct us to where we are most effective."

I said that 6 years ago.  I said it again this week to a different manager in a different organisation.

My daughter-in-law works at a large chain store.  She in now on the management trainee path.  She said "It would really annoy us when we saw managers in little huddles, when we were really busy.  I'm now in those huddles, and I know why they are taking place."

Re NHS- I won't say there aren't any useless positions- as organisations change there is always a little deadwood that needs removing.  However, large organisations need to be managed.  It's like idiots in parliament who complain about managers in the NHS, and that the solution is to give the responsibility to doctors.  If the Doctors are spending their time ordering scalpels, and making sure there is electricity, who the hell is doing the health work?

Among a whole load of other jobs, I've been a Project Manager. I reckoned it wasn't my job to do the work. My job was to make sure those who were doing the work got the tools/ information/ support they needed while I did my level best to shield them from the inane questions and demands from those further up the tree

Bird Flow Chart
When top level guys look down, they see only shitheads;
When bottom level guys look up, they see only assholes...

Quote from: Ithoriel on 22 February 2014, 12:31:50 AM
I've been a Project Manager. I reckoned it wasn't my job to do the work. My job was to make sure those who were doing the work got the tools/ information/ support they needed while I did my level best to shield them from the inane questions and demands from those further up the tree

That about sums up my working life - I work for a very large university as a facilities manager, shielding the chaps getting the work done from the insane demands of privileged academics who couldn't organise the proverbial brewery event consumes 90% of my time - the other 90% is taken up fighting bureaucracy and answering 200+ pathetic whinging emails a day, in the meantime I try and fit in the actual job of line management and running 20+ buildings.

Sodding recession - I used to have this cushy job, sitting at a desk, planning scenarios and reading wargames forums, now I barely get chance to do that at home 

Crikey Zippee you have 180% time at work

Quote from: Nosher on 22 February 2014, 02:23:08 PM
Crikey Zippee you have 180% time at work

He's a damn slacker, no doubt about it 

What's he doing the other 20% of the time?

Quote from: Nosher on 22 February 2014, 02:23:08 PM
Crikey Zippee you have 180% time at work

Time - No I don't
Work - Yes plus some

- that's kind of the point 

Quote from: Ithoriel on 22 February 2014, 02:29:27 PM
He's a damn slacker, no doubt about it 

What's he doing the other 20% of the time?

Pretty sure I itemised that: "in the meantime I try and fit in the actual job of line management and running 20+ buildings. " 

Getting obscure again. But I do understand the George R R Martin one.

Not bad at all  .....But as far as footy is concerned.....I'm waiting for some new "Jaws" ones. 
Cheers - Phil.

 ;D5555555