journal features

the middle manager's prayer

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Kawasaki, 2020.03.24

Once upon a time while visiting my dad's office (at which I would later hold some summer jobs) I saw a many-times photocopied sign titled "The Middle Manager's Prayer". Inside the frame it said, "Just kidding, middle managers don't have a prayer."

I had a curious "goals" planning meeting today with my boss in which it became clear that the company and the department have no goals. The second team they want me to manage has seven people, they expect me to cut it to three or four. I also had to deliver the news - without any notes - that both of my current staff had been given terrible reviews by my boss. Not really feeling the love, but wasn't expecting to. Time to just hunker down and trudge through it. I'm making good relations with my staff and some key contacts despite it all.

Lord knows there won't be any other jobs in Canada or Japan waiting for me now.

rand()m quote

The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself.

—Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov