Sometimes people jump into a new management role and start making decisions without having the context to know what the right thing is.

That would be fine if you listened to the people who report to you, but alas…

Keep reading to see what happened when this new boss didn’t do that.

Boss: “I don’t need your input. Just do what I say”

At my old manufacturing job, the building had two areas: A production/packaging area, and an attached shipping/receiving warehouse.

The production area was air-conditioned/heated.

The warehouse was heated, but only had roof exhaust fans and no AC, so it got pretty hot in the summer, but was bearable (we just moved slower).

Some people would love to get this insight when they’re new in a role. But not this person.

We tried to explain to our newish manager that we shouldn’t use the fans because, with the dock doors closed,  the roof fans would simply suck all of the cold air out of the production area,

But he blew us off with the standard, “You will do as I instruct you to do”.

Monday comes that morning in July and it was hot as hell in the production area.

The result sounds expensive!

The warehouse was the same temperature as always, and the coils on the production AC units had frozen and we had to have people to come out and service them.

All the manager had to say was, “Keep that separation overhead door closed at all times!”

Here’s what folks are saying.

I’m glad. That’s abuse. My goodness…

Excellent advice, although it can be awkward.

I have a feeling he wasn’t thinking of the workers…

Haha! No, it’s malicious because it’s a costly mistake: repairs and downtime.

That’s dark, but why not.

And I’m sure the manager learned nothing.

If you liked that story, check out this post about an oblivious CEO who tells a web developer to “act his wage”… and it results in 30% of the workforce being laid off.