Function Quote by Tom DeMarco
“The manager's function is not to make people work, it is to make it possible for people to work.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Mythical Man-Month by Frederick P. Brooks Jr., 1975
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.
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