How Bad Managers Get Managed Out

In this lesson, we discuss why managing out an underperforming manager can be more complicated than managing out an individual contributor. Managers tend to have more experience, their performance is harder to measure objectively, and they understand how the organizational system works. As a result, addressing poor management often involves subtle conversations, negotiated exits, or a carefully documented performance-management process.

• Manager performance can be difficult to measure: Unlike obvious individual performance problems, weaknesses in management may involve leadership, hiring, team outcomes, or execution that are harder to quantify and document.
• Experienced managers understand the system: Because managers know how performance processes work, they may recognize early signals that their position is at risk and begin protecting themselves or looking for another opportunity.
• Exits may happen through negotiation or formal performance management: Leaders may first signal that the relationship is not working and explore a mutually acceptable transition. If that fails, they can move toward documented expectations and performance management, although managers may choose to leave before that process concludes.

Original podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WaeGfLnRvc&t=24s