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from the promote-them-to-where-they-can-do-the-least-damage dept.
Geert Hofstede's "Culture's Consequences" is one of the most influential management books of the 20th century. With well over 80,000 citations, Hofstede argues that 50 percent of managers' differences in their reactions to various situations are explained by cultural differences. Now, a researcher at the University of Missouri has determined that culture plays little or no part in leaders' management of their employees; this finding could impact how managers are trained and evaluated globally.
"We all want a higher quality of life, a desirable workplace environment and meaningful work -- no matter our home country," said Arthur Jago, professor of management in the Robert J. Trulaske College of Business at MU. "In management theory, we focus more on leaders' differences rather than their similarities. By analyzing the data in a new way, I found that managers across country borders and across cultures are more alike than different."
Crud. Does this mean you can't get away from PHB's no matter where you go?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by GungnirSniper on Thursday December 22 2016, @12:17AM
I remember reading some folk theory that "the Japs" lost WW2 because of their honor-based culture demanded everyone seek battlefield glory, where us good ole Americans loved gridiron football and understood the essential division of tasks. Thus the Americans performed better at squad-level and that helped win the war.
For me, as long as I don't have a my-way-or-the-highway boss I do pretty well. It seems like the military churns those guys out, and they don't adjust well to legitimate questions. Any question is treated as though you've asked if they prefer their manhood being cage-locked while you screw their wife in front of them.
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(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 22 2016, @01:05AM
I like working with ex-military sorts of guys. But only after they have been out for a few years. When they first get out they are exactly like you describe. However, after a few years out it wears off enough that they are usually excellent at what they do. When they first get out you have to be very careful to give them very regimented sorts of tasks. Then slowly peal it back and put in flexible things. They have usually spent the last 2-8 years being told exactly what to do and when. It takes awhile for it to wear off.
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Thursday December 22 2016, @02:02AM
I generally liked working with ex-military, but nowadays the military is churning out rat punks and passive-aggressive weenies at all enlisted levels. As for the ones who are tough and boorish, a lot of them (even the ones who have been out for awhile) just suck ass to work with.
The worst kind are the ones who were NCOs or SNCOs, maybe even collecting their military retirement, who are hired into a corporation as the same (corporate) rank as younger people working alongside them and acting like they're still the big cheese and can just boss everybody around.
A former Navy E-8 tried that on me and got put in his place like a bitch, even after he tried every wormy political trick in the book to try to discredit me. Now, I respect people for their service, generally, but the quickest way to lose that respect is forgetting you and I are now the same rank and you're bossy or just plain can't mind your own fucking business.
The good part about working tech in San Diego is that there's none of that PC bullshit and offensive jokes are the norm. The flip side of that, of course, is having to deal with boorish ex-military assholes who forgot this ain't no longer the military.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 22 2016, @03:43AM
PC bullshit and offensive jokes are the norm
Dont work for qcom then :)
Lots and lots of visits from 'hr'.
having to deal with boorish ex-military assholes who forgot this ain't no longer the military.
It takes some awhile for some to learn that. Once they figure it out they are really good.
(Score: 2) by GungnirSniper on Thursday December 22 2016, @08:59AM
The military retirement guys are the worst because they've been in it for so long that they come out at a mid-level manager or director level and wreak havoc on IT departments they join. It's madness.
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 22 2016, @09:04AM
even after he tried every wormy political trick in the book to try to discredit me.
Discredit? Ethanol_fueled? IRL? He must have had a very short book. Jus' saying.