The very nature of management has shifted over the past few generations.
Back in the day, management happened military style, with one boss barking out orders and everyone doing as they were told. It was appropriate back then since workers were considered peons. And it was efficient since bosses were never questioned or forced to explain themselves. They could just order people around as they wished.
Then along came the Japanese success of the 1970s, and we shifted to a peer-based model where everyone’s opinion was asked for and nobody got yelled at. Though more complicated, this new system yielded better results since it capitalized on existing worker knowledge. It changed not only the way business was conducted, but also the degree of human decency involved. For the first time in history, subordinates were considered valuable, which quickly led to a more civilized society for us all. And the business world became a much more respectful place.
Then along came the computer industry’s challenge of Y2K, and we changed again. This time, due to increased labour specialization, bosses had to start kissing everybody’s butt to keep them from quitting. In this new world order, workers became regarded as difficult to replace and were duly acknowledged for it. As a result, today’s companies put great effort into ensuring employee satisfaction.
And this new paradigm has affected the home.
First, spouses and children no longer subscribe to the military model of being ordered around. As a matter of fact, they’ll no longer stand for it. They can’t live in a civilized world during the day and come home to Fort Bragg at night. Second, the peer-based Japanese model is better since two heads actually are better than one. And third, it’s now apparent that we must recognize the importance of others.
Yelling, barking, screaming, and issuing verbal threats are now obsolete as managerial tools. Basic human interaction has changed—we’re now much more civil towards each other. So get on board and be nice to people. Otherwise, you’ll never get anyone to work for you.