What, How & Do

There are three kinds of jobs in the world: jobs where you decide what to do, jobs where you figure out how to do it, and jobs where you do the work. Most people want blue collar jobs, jobs where you just do the work. They have learned how to do something and just want a chance to do that job. Some people have more curiosity and enjoy figuring out how to make things. These are your scientists and engineers. And then there are those who decide what everyone else is going to do. Are we going to war, or are we going to enter trade negotiations? Are we going to build economy cars or big trucks? Are we going to bet on red? Or black?

I have been under the impression that there are good managers and there are bad managers. Now I am not so sure. I am thinking it may be more a matter of incompatible people. Situations where the workers are more competent than the manager is fairly typical. So why is the incompetent person the manager? Bravado, maybe. They know they are incompetent at doing the work, so if they stick with that, which is where most people would really rather be, they will end up getting fired. So they promote themselves to other people, and eventually somebody listens and they get put in charge of something.

Or maybe it is just a matter of being able to put up with people you don't like.