An Ode to Bad Managers

Why they exist, why they're inevitable, and how you can survive them

Welcome to Frank Takeaways. I'm Frank, writing the notes worth keeping from decades at companies like Slack, Etsy, and Google. I run a coaching practice dedicated to guiding leaders through the tricky stuff of building products and high-performing teams.

Join my referral program and earn 1:1 coaching sessions by sharing Frank Takeaways with others - start with just three referrals.
—

Bad managers turn simple requests into bureaucratic nightmares, hoard information, and vanish from meetings only to resurface when credit is due. They dismiss thoughtful proposals with "Let's take this offline" and make inexplicable decisions that leave you questioning your sanity.

Bad management is like the weather — unpredictable, sometimes disastrous, and mostly out of your control. Some managers rain chaos. Others bring the heat but no direction. And every now and then, you get one who's a perfect climate for growth. But don't be an orchid: the professional who can only thrive under ideal conditions.

The A…