Marjorie's Journey to Grow as a Manager


Marjorie Winters prided herself on efficiency. As the manager of a bustling marketing agency, she believed that her job was to ensure deadlines were met, budgets adhered to, and clients left impressed. Her desk was a shrine to productivity: color-coded folders, neatly stacked reports, and a mug declaring "World's Best Boss" (a self-purchase she never admitted).


Yet lately, there had been murmurs. A whispered complaint here, an eye-roll there. Projects were on time, but the energy in the office felt... off. Determined to prove herself the leader she knew she could be, Marjorie implemented a new feedback initiative: the Mirror Report.

Employees could anonymously submit feedback under two categories: "Reflections" (things Marjorie was doing well) and "Smudges" (areas needing improvement).


The first batch of reports was sobering.


Reflections:

  • "Marjorie is great at keeping the team organized."
  • "She's decisive and clear about expectations."

Smudges:

  • "Sometimes her decisiveness feels like micromanaging."
  • "She doesn't always notice when people are overwhelmed."
  • "The Friday emails about 'pushing harder' feel robotic."

Marjorie was taken aback. She had always thought of herself as a supportive leader, but here was the evidence: she was efficient but not empathetic.


Marjorie decided to start small. On Monday, instead of diving straight into the weekly strategy meeting, she opened with a question:
"What's one thing outside of work that's brought you joy this week?"


The team was hesitant at first. Rick, the data analyst, mentioned his new puppy. Sofia, the graphic designer, shyly shared her latest painting project. By the time it was her turn, Marjorie confessed she'd rediscovered her love of gardening.


The room felt lighter.


Encouraged, Marjorie took another step. She began ending her Friday emails with a question:
"What's one thing we could do to make next week smoother?"


The answers surprised her. Some were logistical ("clearer timelines for client feedback"), while others were more personal ("acknowledge our wins more often").


One day, Sofia timidly asked, "Could I take more creative control on the Delaney campaign? I think I have a stronger sense of their brand now."


Old Marjorie would've hesitated, fearing a misstep. But new Marjorie remembered a line from the Mirror Report: "Trust us more."


"You know what? Go for it," she said, swallowing her instinct to micromanage.


When the client raved about the campaign, Marjorie sent an all-staff email highlighting Sofia's contributions. The applause from her coworkers felt like a standing ovation.


Months later, Marjorie's desk still held its color-coded folders, but her mug had been swapped for one gifted by the team: "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, You're the Best Boss of All."


The feedback initiative remained a staple, but the reports had evolved.


Reflections:

  • "Marjorie listens more."
  • "She lets us take the lead when it makes sense."

Smudges:

  • "She still sends those Friday emails... but now they're actually helpful."

Marjorie smiled. Leading a team was like tending a garden: it required patience, care, and a willingness to get your hands dirty. For the first time in years, the office didn't just run like a well-oiled machine. It thrived like a living, breathing ecosystem.



--
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
https://pairsmathgame.com
https://philshapirochatgptexplorations.blogspot.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/philshapiro.bsky.social

He/Him/His

"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."
"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

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