I agree with your first point entirely. Figure out cost/benefit before making any purchases. However, I disagree with you second point. You seem to be saying t

I agree with your first point entirely. Figure out cost/benefit before making any purchases. However, I disagree with you second point. You seem to be saying that good managers should be sociopaths. That is simply not true. Some managers can operate that way, but the great managers that I have had in the past are the ones that truly empathize with and take care of their employees. This pays dividends in work output from those employees. As I've moved into management myself I have incorporated this mentality. As for firing low performers, the result is almost always better for both parties if it is handled correctly (again, empathy). If they were given sufficient opportunity and still cannot complete their job, then there is a reason they are a poor performer: they are not in the right position. Don't believe that empathy precludes you from management. It's quite the opposite.