Once I Had A Manager...

Once, I had a manager who excelled at managing their mailbox but lacked respect for the housekeeping staff.

From them, I learned effective mailbox management and also how not to treat housekeeping staff.

Once, I had a manager who possessed high emotional intelligence but failed to stand up for their team when they were under attack.

From them, I learned the importance of leading with empathy and the necessity of not abandoning your team.

Once, I had a manager who was a master of suspending judgment. However, they discriminated against people based on their religion when hiring.

From them, I learned the importance of suspending judgment when upset and the necessity of not judging people based on their religion.

Once, I had a manager who made everyone comfortable at office dinners by engaging with each team member. However, they never replied to emails/requests unless they were reminded.

From them, I learned the importance of treating your team well outside the office and the necessity of not slacking when your team reaches out to you.

Once, I had a manager who fiercely advocated for the team's increments & promotions with higher-ups but would yell on the floor if someone made a mistake.

From them, I learned the importance of advocating for your team when it's time to give them their due and the necessity of not raising your voice on the floor.

Once, I had a manager who was a great orator, yet they would convene the team daily in their cabin for hours to discuss the most trivial of issues endlessly.

From them, I learned how being a good orator helps manage stakeholders effectively & the importance of not wasting the team's time by calling frequent, lengthy meetings.

Once, I had a manager who never micromanaged or interfered in my work unless asked to, but would often remark "Half day?" if someone left an hour earlier from the office someday.

From them, I learned the importance of empowering & trusting the team and the necessity of not making them feel uncomfortable unnecessarily.

Once, I had a manager who meticulously counted the number of clicks each time I demoed a new HR module, yet openly treated one team member favorably because of their influential family background.

From them, I learned the importance of paying attention to details and the necessity of avoiding favoritism.

No, I haven't had so many direct managers in my career. Some of these individuals were my immediate supervisors, while others held higher positions in my reporting chain.

Encountering diverse managers/leaders is an inherent part of our professional paths. Regardless of their effectiveness, every manager, be it great, good, decent, or bad, offers valuable insights into the behaviors we should adopt and those we should steer clear of.

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. So does value, probably. It's up to us as individuals to decide what to admire and adopt, and what to acknowledge as a shortcoming and avoid while working with a manager/leader.