Generalization: a manager makes it possible to work
Simplification: whoever makes it possible to work is a manager
Most employees rely on the manager at a day-to-day level to remove obstacles, clarify confusion, and coordinate tasks. In the long term, they entrust the manager to facilitate skill development and guide career growth. If the manager fails to do these tasks properly, it will become increasingly difficult for the employee to do the job well and next to impossible for the employee to build a career. So, again, on the surface the generalization here goes a long way because everything the manager does is intended to make it possible for an employee to work.
However, the manager who takes this generalization as a given is bound to end up in big trouble. This type of manager frames failures as a matter of yet – I haven’t removed the obstacle yet, I haven’t answered the question yet, I haven’t taught the new skill yet. Yet isn’t a good word for a manager because it contains an infinity (and those tend to go on forever).
To put it another way, the difference between yet and never is another person's perception. This perception is based entirely on the reality of how often you say yet when the expectation was something different. The more you say yet, the more others are going to hear never.
Reader, any guesses on who has no time for yet?
(Waiting…)
(Other than me?)
If you guessed the employee, you are close – the employee is included. In fact, the correct answer is everyone. It isn’t just the lowest employee on the company chart here – it’s the head of the company as well, and everyone else in between. Whether it’s a daily operational concern or a matter of developing employees, the luxury of time implied by yet is not afforded to anyone in a position to help. People who are able to help must help, right away if possible, or otherwise risk the opportunity passing them by.
The simplification here reflects the reality of managing – there is the manager and then there is the real manager. The manager is the person employees assume will help them while the real manager is the person who actually helps them. When people identify someone as manager material, they are usually just pointing at the person who always helps. It works the same way in reverse – those regarded as bad managers are basically the leaders no one ever asks for help.
