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Yeah. Had managers like that before. High performers get attacked and criticized for daring to have a different opinion. Kiss asses who don’t rock the boat are “safe” in the sense that they don’t notice the incompetency of their boss and see that it gets pointed out. Despite the fact that sharing different opinions, you know, helps to improve the job the managers are tasked with.
I read a book once about the hiring practices of large tech companies. I came across I think it was Sundar Pichai’s interview with Google. Or some major exec for Google now. During his interview process for a low level position he was asked what he thought about Gmail at that time, when it was still new. Instead of flattering the hiring manager, he took a critical line against it and started talking about the things he didn’t like and how he would improve the software for the public. It so blindsided the hiring team that they knew right then and there that they wanted him for important projects.
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