I hate to break it to you, but I'm your boss. Your complaining and dissatisfaction fall on deaf ears, most of the time. You can be replaced. Keep it up, and you probably will be. Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger.

No matter how useful or clever you are, or how hard you work, your continued employment is an economic decision: you earn your pay (and more), or you don't. If you don't, you're probably headed for the unemployment office at the next downsizing opportunity.

Sound harsh? It is. And it happens to be the truth. The fact is: Few people are truly irreplaceable. I'm not. You aren't. The ones who are most irreplaceable have legally binding contracts that make it so. You've heard of golden parachutes? You don't have one of those, do you? No? Bummer. Maybe you should work on your negotiation skills.

I'm in charge. Yes, I have to answer to those above me in the company, but most of the time I am the master of my domain -- and you are a part of it. I've got the title and the responsibility. So, if you really don't like the way I do things, and I'm not changing things fast enough for you -- feel free to find a gig elsewhere, either inside the company or out.

And, when faced with your criticisms, I have to wonder: If you are so damn smart, if you have so much on the ball, why aren't you my boss?

Is Hugh MacLeod of gapingvoid channeling Mad Manager? Or the other way around?

Most managers may not say it, at least to your face or in front of your peers. They may never explicitly have this thought, but it's probably there, in the back of their minds, an unarticulated feeling of righteousness, managerial manifest destiny, and Darwinian self-satisfaction.

These facts are indisputable: You're still here. You haven't quit yet. I'm your manager. Those facts speak volumes, don't they?

So, the next time you have a complaint, think that I'm such a dipshit or that I'm an incompetent manager, close your eyes, and imagine me asking you: "If you're so sharp, why are you working for me? Why aren't you managing your own team, or running your own company?"

What's your answer?

I'll tell you what: I'm really busy. Go read this and get back to me when you figure it out.