The Morph

Someone said to me today, "you're morphing into a manager". It says something about the culture (and management) at my company that a) this is something that can be said of me (I wouldn't say "managing" is what I'm doing at the moment, coping... hanging on for dear life.. something like that) and b) this isn't intended to be a compliment.

But it does raise some interesting complexities that, I imagine, all manager types face. I think the comment was basically that I was being too "on message" and not nearly cynical enough. It just happens that I do believe in the potential for, and power of, positive change. But in many ways, it doesn't matter what I actually think. People look to me for leadership and guidance, whether they admit it or not. I'm supposed to be the guy with the answers, and if I admit to doubts then this only reinforces their own. I must act to counterbalance rather than amplify any anxiety and concern, regardless of my own level of comfort. It doesn't mean dishonesty, or relentless false cheer, this is counter productive in that it destroys trust. It means "managing my message" or somesuch empty sounding phrase. It means I must make an effort to point out the things that are going right. But this doesn't come easy for me... I'm a natural cynic.