Management Style

Let’s forget the trivia of politics for a minute and talk about management style. All of you, that have studied management or actually have been a manager, know that there are a number of different types of management style.

When I was a manager with state government my style was pretty simple.

First, hire the best people you can find.

Second, pay then the most money you can and give them all of perks available.

Third, clearly tell them what you needed them to do and when you expected them to have it done.

Fourth, leave them alone, let them do their job, they will come to you if there is a problem.

Fifth, keep every micro-managing SOB in the office off their back.

Sixth, if they don’t produce fire them.

I always found, that if I did items 1 to 5 correctly, I never had to fire anyone.

I know my style wouldn’t work with the Fletcher administration. These guys appear to be classic top down micro managers. There is no other reason why guys sitting in the Capitol would be deciding who was going to run a road grader.

Today I read in the Herald Leader that the grand jury has issued three sets of indictments.

“FRANKFORT - Gov. Ernie Fletcher's deputy chief of staff, Richard "Dick" Murgatroyd, and two Transportation Cabinet officials -- Dan Druen and Cory Meadows -- were indicted yesterday by a special Franklin County grand jury in an ongoing investigation of hiring practices in the Fletcher administration.”

That makes five Fletcherites that have been indicted; the other two are acting Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert and Deputy Transportation Secretary Jim Adams. Dan Druen, the patsy designate for this fiasco, has the dubious honor of being indicted twice.

But let’s understand the Fletcher spin on this.

In a rigid top down management structure, one single administrator (Dan Druen) goes rogue and four innocent public servants are tarred by an Attorney General on a political witch hunt. And the Governor knows nothing about this whole affair.

As I watch this tragedy unfold one quote comes to mind:

"I want you all to stonewall it, let them plead the Fifth Amendment, cover-up, or anything else, if it'll save it, save the plan."….. Richard Nixon

Again from the Herald Leader:

“Fletcher issued a statement, calling the indictments "a travesty of justice."

"Previous administrations had merit patronage systems in place," the statement said. "Providing a level playing field of opportunity for all Kentuckians has made some people uncomfortable.’”

I’m sure some people, including those who may yet be indicted, are uncomfortable with what is going on and one of them lives in the mansion across the street from the Capitol.