In recent interactions, I’ve noticed a shift in leadership approach where supervisors are prioritizing directive control over collaborative friendliness. This manifests as micromanaging daily tasks, decisions, and workflows, which can feel overly authoritative rather than supportive.
While clear guidance is appreciated, this “bossy” style risks demotivating employees by limiting autonomy and trust. It may lead to reduced creativity, higher stress levels, and lower job satisfaction, as team members feel their expertise isn’t valued. For instance, constant oversight on routine matters can stifle initiative and make the work environment feel restrictive rather than empowering.
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“collaborative friendliness” is a western value as more and more cultures take on leadership roles the dynamics will change.
Maybe this is just because we have so many inexperienced, unqualified and insecure managers/directors now. Most of the good ones were riffed or left and now we are stuck with the ones who want to assert their authority with coercive control tactics. They then hire their friends into open leadership roles and then protect each other and reward bad behavior.
It was like that all the time especially in GCIO org. The optics of perfect delivery is rewarded and i have seen managers promoted to directors after delivering a product with 100+ defects.