> The majority of managers I have encountered have a superiority complex. Because they are the manager they know better. They have a misguided idea that they were promoted on the basis of some meritocracy instead of being good political operatives or shameless sycophants
That is usually true. One fix for that is to play into it. Guide them towards the idea but make them think they came up with it and the praise them for it. I always remember the scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding where the women get Gus to “decide” and come up with the idea that Toula should go work at the travel agency.
Praising a thirsty horse for drinking, after having to forcibly lead it to the waterhole and show it how to drink just isn't in my wheelhouse. It's beyond a certain very-slightly-autistic line of wrong-ness intrinsic to my very soul. I know this holds me back, but, I ... just ... can't.
I will, however, increasingly simplify the explanation of the concept until the conversation reaches acceptance or frustrated dismissal of the topic altogether. This has had patchy success over the years.
Many years ago, after a number of failed explanations, I demo'd to my boss, the IT Manager, the ability to access work emails from a mobile device and how Managers and Salespeople would love it for their productivity and customer relationships. "Nah, I don't think they'd be interested. That's what their laptops are for".
Surprisingly, that particular horse never died of dehydration. I think that's because the next levels up were also thirsty horses.
> I know this holds me back, but, I ... just ... can't
It is messed up, indeed. Better to find another horse. But some people are stuck with their horse for some reason or another.
> I will, however, increasingly simplify the explanation of the concept until the conversation reaches acceptance or frustrated dismissal of the topic altogether. This has had patchy success over the years.
Yeah, that is a better option.
> Surprisingly, that particular horse never died of dehydration. I think that's because the next levels up were also thirsty horses.
Well put. There are thirsty horses all the way up.
That is usually true. One fix for that is to play into it. Guide them towards the idea but make them think they came up with it and the praise them for it. I always remember the scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding where the women get Gus to “decide” and come up with the idea that Toula should go work at the travel agency.