‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

I don't want the details

466 points · 226 comments · mooreds

  1. FartyMcFarter · · focus · HN ↗
    > Then I realised that "I don't want the details" wasn't being dismissive. The executive assumed that we were competent, and was saying "I already believe you. Now let's talk about what happens next".

    Something about this feels wrong:

    - If you trust them completely, you don't need to know what happens next either. Just trust them to do the right things, your leadership isn't required.

    - If you don't trust them completely, how can you know if "what happens next" is appropriate without knowing the details?

    Isn't this just reinforcing the idea that leadership doesn't need to have their feet on the ground?

    The best leaders I've worked with were paying attention to things from the bottom-up as well as top-down.

    1. 0manrho · · focus · HN ↗
      You answered your own question.

      > If you trust them completely, you don't need to know what happens next either. Just trust them to do the right things, your leadership isn't required.

      > The best leaders I've worked with were paying attention to things from the bottom-up as well as top-down.

      These two statements are at odds. You first assuming that lack of trust would be the only reason he needs to know what happens next, then go on to outline another reason he and the larger organization would both benefit from knowing more.

      It's not just about trust. It's about knowing what your team is up to so you can provide them the resources necessary while also working to remove any obstacles in their way so they can get shit done. That's what good management does, it's just rare to see in low-trust organizations that treat everyone like a cog to be micromanaged because no one trusts anyone to get shit done of their own accord for whatever reason.

      1. saghm · · focus · HN ↗
        > These two statements are at odds. You first assuming that lack of trust would be the only reason he needs to know what happens next, then go on to outline another reason he and the larger organization would both benefit from knowing more.

        But doesn't that same logic apply to whether they need to know the details?

        1. [deleted] · · focus · HN ↗

          [deleted]

Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.