What are you implying, that you are some kind of God? So if you see them as bad, often bad appears, and if you see them as good, then often good appears? That's some magical stuff there.
Further, if the people around you are actually incompetent or malicious then awareness of that fact won’t change the outcome anyway.
True. But we're here talking about managing serious operations, in which case being keenly aware of the above fact helps make decisions and they don't all have to be "evil" decisions and can often be quite beautiful solutions. You can reallocate people to optimize them without firing them, feeding one more person.
Pretty much, yeah. Another way of saying this is “perception is reality.”
Everyone has their own perception of reality. As a result some people like you and others don’t. You can choose to perceive those around you as favorably as possible. You control your perception of reality.
It’s similar to this HN guideline:
> Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith.
I think this is the defining characteristic of HN that makes it a valuable place to be. It’s a deliberate choice I wish was more widespread.
> True. But we're here talking about managing serious operations, in which case being keenly aware of the above fact helps make decisions and they don't all have to be "evil" decisions and can often be quite beautiful solutions. You can reallocate people to optimize them without firing them, feeding one more person.
Totally. And you should assume the best about those you manage so you can move them into a position where they can succeed rather than dismissing them for their flaws.
IMHO if you assume the people around you are incompetent or malicious then that’s exactly what you’ll find.
Further, if the people around you are actually incompetent or malicious then awareness of that fact won’t change the outcome anyway.