Task Master vs Empathetic leader

I completely agree with you. My manager was so so toxic that after some time, it became unbearable for me to survive in that environment even for a minute and I resigned. I have no doubts that the manager would be able to succeed in corporates. She is a corporate shark, knows how to get the work done by shouting at other team members, threatening them, and making them work for 17-18 hours a day. I, on the other hand, took stand for my juniors when I saw that they were working for very long hours. And because of this reason, I was forced to resign and I'm unemployed currently. During my break from work, I kept on analysing the situation, however, I have been unable to come up with a conclusion. I have also seen such toxic people climbing up the ladder. And it often comes to my mind that how do the type 2 people survive and grow in corporates?

I am type 1 and I received very strong upward feedback from my team members. This year I role played as type 2. Barring a couple of team members every single person has taken advantage. Our customer satisfaction scores are severely impacted, multiple deadlines were missed. Being Type 2 only works when your team members are genuine and give equal importance to work and life

As an IC I can tell you are a great manager to work with. Are you an SDM by any chance?

This is such a great post! Finally something really nice, deep and insightful in Grapevine! It compels us to think deeper and understood human behavior. Thanks for sharing bro. You know, the problem with everything in India is with people. We people collectively are more or less bad. Plain bad. We look for shortcuts and tricks to play on to save ourselves from hard things. Even at the cost of playing someone else, won't think twice before lying, scamming, use etc. You do you bro. Whatever type you have fundamentally as a natural behaviour by birth, maintain that. We can't change anything in the world. But we can atleast do our individual parts and stay true and fair to ourselves as well as the people we share our lives with. I can't help you with gyaan on what you should do and why, but can only request you to stay true to your core nature. If it's type 1, stay like that. If it's type 2, then type 2. Dont change your core when none of the options are evil/harmful to others. More power to you bro! All the very best! 🙌

I think it largely depends upon your values - do you think subordinate as a mere number (a resource to achieve something) or a person. I am the kind of person who can't neglect the human side of people and it has helped me get respect and form a bond with folks. Not sure it was any good but I know that I have done the right thing as per my ideology. I have seen type 1 getting promotions etc but they are not respected as for them you are only a number. Their subordinate respect them only because they have appraisal stick in their hand. However, don't compromise on quality or timelines so that you can also deliver impact and grow in organisation.

Purely based on personal opinion, have seen both type 1 & 2 reach high positions. It purely depends on your bonding with your senior and how fast they rise. As you grow, position become sparse and referrals are key. So evaluate which senior person in your org will grow fast and start building rapport with them

I am currently a lead with type 2 personality but similar to you I have seen been taken advantage of by my team hence I modified my approach when tackling any grievous mistakes done by my juniors. In those moments I become type 1 even though I might not like it. It is important to let my team know that I have a set of expectations they must adhere to. You need to change your strategy depending on whom you are dealing with. I can negotiate hard or be really friendly.

If you think someone is High IQ and Low EQ then maybe consider yourself as High EQ and Low IQ (calling yourself above average here, is Lake Wobegon effect) All Software Leaders must be excellent coders by Elon Musk: https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1522609829553971200

I consider myself type 2 and I have a couple of reportees taking advantage of this. I find it distasteful to berate people but to get work done from some people you have to become type 1.

Being in the 2nd category myself, I completely understand your perspective. However, I make sure to be firm with people who try to take advantage. While this might sometimes seem like favoritism/partiality , I make up for it by explaining my actions to everyone involved.

From the post I feel you are more than 10 years old and leading a team or BU. I am nowhere close to that but I have experience working under both types of leaders . So my take : I won't be the type of person in the future whom I hated . In the meantime I will justify my compensation to my leader.

I am type 2 and while no per see takes advantage of me , it becomes super tiring to constantly feel for everyone. I have a big team and I end up assuming all of their work as mine and that really really takes a toll on me. While I wouldn't want to suddenly become type 1 , I would want to learn how to take a step back and not get overwhelmed often.

"Power comes from the barrel of the gun". Most of the top, like top 'top' brass, are smart, intelligent and selfish. Too many people trying to take your spot. People can and will do anything to step over you for their short and long term success. Spending your time helping them won't do you any good. I think it's a prerequisite, being straight, shrewd and selfish to climb the corporate ladder. But, these are my opinions.

Not only at work, this is applicable in life, in relationships too, bro.... The one who cares more of others, gets F'd.

We are born to perform karma . If you want to save this nation from eternal slavery work not 18 but 20 hours a day. It all boils down to each persons self esteem.

Type 3 amalgamation of both - I put in resources where needed, literally understand there problems draw measurements like where they have to perform take constant and continuous update define work properly and take updates in form of emails or documents or work code or codes uploads etc. then tell them where they are missing and if they aren't able to perform give them a final feedback and terminate. Simple we needn't hate them or be toxic