I don't know who I am as a manager. I'm getting back in touch with mine. I think I was good at what I was doing, and at a certain point, the only way you can advance is to be a manager. Management layoffs have done much to erode interest in managerial jobs, of course. American Management Association surveys say three middle managers are laid off for every one being hired.
Surveys also underscore the job-security concerns.
He just saw the manager who hired him lose his job in a reorganization. The emotional rewards can be great, and there were times I enjoyed management. On rare occasions, we'd push 100 hours a week. The best I could do was give them compensatory time off, which wasn't sanctioned by the company. Both Mr. Bass, the writer, and Mr. White, the real-estate salesman, say they not only are relieved to escape supervisory chores but also are making more money.