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

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

—Hermann Goering