COME WITH A SOLUTION

Being a manager perplexes me. Management confuses me.

I know of managers who practice the "Don't come to me with a problem, come with a solution" style of management. That is something I can never understand. If I have a solution ready, why would I even need to seek help? If you can't help me with my problem, why do I need you? So aren't we all at a stalemate?

But recently, I have come to appreciate the "Don't come to me with a problem" part, at least when it comes to people management. Two persons from my team couldn't get along with each other, each complained about the other and refused to work with each other. I had a standoff, and no one to do the work. So I very nicely separated their work responsibilities and eliminated all need for interaction between them. No reprimands, no nothing from me. I thought this was a very nice and elegant solution in view of looming datelines. I thought I would deal with the "I don't want to friend him/her" childishness when I have time later.

Turns out, one of them was STILL unhappy with the arrangements. I think he wanted me to take his side and punish the other party or something. And he didn't want to continue with the work that I had segregated because the other party started the job. Hello, since when am I elected playground referee? This was when I started to appreciate the "Don't come to me with a problem" mandate.

I can understand the continued angst. I can even empathise. I have been through the same situation of working with someone I absolutely hate. Even gone head to head with this person in conflict. Sure, I complained about this person to my bosses. I also received the necessary "pep talk" in return. But at no point in time did I refuse to continue my work just because my boss(es) didn't take my side. That would have been really unprofessional.

Anyway, I got them to do the work in the end. But the "I don't want to friend him/her" situation is still pending and still needs to be dealt with. According to the rules of the "Don't come to me with a problem" management style, I should get this two people to come to me with a solution.

Ten to one bet that I get any.