Skip to content

The manager's function is not to make people work, it is…

“The manager's function is not to make people work, it is to make it possible for people to work.” quote by Tom DeMarco
Download Open image
“The manager's function is not to make people work, it is to make it possible for people to work.”

Tom DeMarco

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A manager should create conditions for work, not force effort.

In simple terms: Managers enable work, not compel it.

Key Takeaway

Focus on removing obstacles.

Themes

leadership management empowerment

Mood

supportive pragmatic

Type

advisory instructional

When to use this quote

  • team projects
  • remote work
  • process improvement
  • employee onboarding

Key Concepts

systems thinking human-centered design

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you redesign processes to empower staff?
  • What barriers prevent people from working efficiently?
A Different Perspective

If managers micromanage, they stifle autonomy.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Tom DeMarco

Explore all 56 Tom DeMarco quotes

More Function quotes

Browse all 2,964 Function quotes