While working with McKinsey, I worked with two types of managers:
Type 1: They wanted you to just solve the problem as best as you could.
Type 2: They wanted your output (PPT slides) to look exactly like they would have done it.
But the problem with the 2nd type was that we are not mind readers. And when you are second guessing what your manager expects, your focus moves away from problem-solving to people-pleasing.
That is the recipe for mediocre work and unhappiness.
I would rather work 18 hours a day with type 1 managers than 8 hours with type 2 ones.
If we have the privilege of leading others, we also have a responsibility – don’t ask others to be our clones. Give them space to use their creativity.
And in the beginning, even let them make small mistakes (or bad PPT slides). After all, that is how we all started.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give feedback or lower performance expectations. But giving people space allows them to thrive.
And ultimately, organizations thrive when their people thrive.
– Rajan