The boss must first distinguish between action information and status information. He must discipline himself not to act on problems his managers can solve, and never to act on problems when he is explicitly reviewing status. I once knew a boss who invariably picked up the phone to give orders before the end of the first paragraph in a status report. That response is guaranteed to squelch full disclosure.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance for a boss to differentiate between action information and status information. It suggests that a boss should refrain from taking immediate action on problems that can be handled by their managers. Furthermore, it warns against hastily reacting to status reports, as this may discourage open and honest communication. The quote recounts an example where a boss consistently interrupted status reports with immediate orders, implying that such behavior inhibits transparent sharing of information. Overall, the quote underlines the need for bosses to exercise self-discipline and allow managers the space to address problems before intervening.

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