Lots of posts here about how worthless AT&T's managers are. In defense, managers are saddled with an almost unbelievable amount of administrative BS which makes them pretty much ineffective for their teams.
Not sure if this will make everyone feel suddenly better about their boss, but it is worth mentioning.
After 25 years working for this company, i conclude that management behavior is crucial to developing organizational capability, it uncover a strong relationship between the roles and organizational performance, unfortunatelly in many segments at our silo company there are people that do not know their own roles and responsabilities, even after many years on the job,. Managers have a lot to do with that, and the answer is always the lack of knowledge in product and project implementation, therefore we must rethinking middle management's strategic role as necessary part of the delayering process. How to encourage strategic behavior? bringing new ideas, replacing the old with the new and focusing in the employee as an asset will bea good start.
very Sad post, NOTLearning from others is a common practice at AT&T today, Of course, not all learning comes from reflection and self-analysis. Sometimes the most powerful insights come from looking outside one’s immediate environment to gain a new perspective. When you assert a view to your Manager ( my manager), the evil choice always prevails, so it is better to stay silent. unenlightened managers exist in the bubble of "no accountability", know that even companies in completely different businesses can be fertile sources of ideas and catalysts for creative thinking. Many of my colleagues work now at these organizations, where ideas are enthusiastically shared, borrowed and executed, is replacing the “not invented here” syndrome, unlike the for “Steal Ideas Shamelessly” something that managers specifically at ATO do very well.
I come from the old AT&T environment where managers and occupational worked hand in hand and "ownership" was drilled into us. Then we got bought out by SBC and their mentality took over. Ownership only comes in when looking for a scapegoat. I've worked with my peers at Bellsouth, Cingular and SBC. I can't speak for everyone and only making a subjective observation based on my interactions. I thoroughly enjoyed working with those at Bellsouth and Cingular because of their willingness to work with each other no matter what company you came from.
I came from Cingular and one of the frustrating things for us was the change in management style we were required to make. We came from a group where when the front lines were getting overwhelmed the manager just stepped in and helped with the workload. When AT&T took over that all changed. We were all trained to never step in and help do frontline work. If they can't keep up with the workload we are to "use it as a teaching opportunity." So your people get loaded down with work, don't help. Coach them. If they don't catch up from the "coaching" then write them up. It's absurd. Rather then helping to build a more cohesive team you just make the front lines resent management.
I've spoken to my boss about it and it's true. The Company is obsessive about documenting everything. Taking time away from managers actually being able to do their jobs.