Managerial mystique, or the art of making decisions without explaining them, because the lack of explanation projects authority. Good boss: "I need you to be i

Managerial mystique, or the art of making decisions without explaining them, because the lack of explanation projects authority. Good boss: "I need you to be in at 9:00 because, even though there's no need for you to work specific hours, this office environment is ridiculous and gossipy and people will think less of our team if people come in later, and that means we have less autonomy in hiring. I'd be happy to let you work on whatever you want from 9 to 11, but I really need you to be in the door at 9:00, and if you can't do that, then we'll have to discuss moving you to another team." Typical management theory says that this is bad because you're making what you have the authority to demand a negotiation instead, so more common is this... Asshole manager: walks over to your desk. "I need you to be in at 9." Walks away.