Andrew Clavell writes a blog called Financial Crookery. A recent post about bonuses included this:
Due to the apparent ease of this management game [“managing upward” = convincing your superiors you are doing a good job without actually doing so] compared to the grisly business of finding actual customers and making them want to do profitable business with you, it is no wonder foot soldiers vie to join management ranks.
What is the scientific equivalent, I wonder?
Focusing your work on what will bring top publications and grants, on low-risk small steps rather than high-risk big steps?
It’s about creating the illusion of progress rather than actual progress. It’s a variant of Gresham’s Law (bad money drives out good).
OB guys study things like this. For example, effective managers (ones who get things done) actually network less than the average.
Successful managers (those who get promoted and make money) spend almost half their time networking.
Interesting.