It's hard to believe, but I've worked with some managers who actually listened, and they (she in my case) would say, let's work together to build a stronger cas

It's hard to believe, but I've worked with some managers who actually listened, and they (she in my case) would say, let's work together to build a stronger case next time, I'll help you because you have some strong points here that are clearly not being heard because you are new OR need to polish up your argument and I'll help you. The alpha "better luck battling it out next time" attitude of the TFA's author just speaks for his own surroundings, there are places where people really help each other, managers included.