Middle Management

Title Slide: How to Be an Effective Middle Manager

Slide 1: Extract Work Maximally

To be an effective middle manager, you have to know who has the moral substance to get the most done (so you don't have to). Cable is our best guy here. The best thing about that guy is: the more you let the work get away from you, the harder he works. You can't expect everyone to be a superstar, but an effective middle manager knows how to get work out of anyone according to their ability. Fantomex pitches in a little bit wherever he's needed, but it's his direct report E.V.A. we keep him around for, since she fills in the gaps or just keeps him on the job longer. X-23 really just does one thing well, and since we have such cool letter openers, we can make sure she's always ready to keep doing it. Finally, every team has a gopher, and Caliban does a great job making sure our more effective team members are here to do theirs. Once everyone's on the board, I'm not really sure what he does.

Slide 2: Tools of the Trade

Identifying your best assets is only the beginning though. In order to maximize our ability to do as little as possible, we need to make sure they have the tools to do our work for us. As I already noted, Cable is our best guy, and if we want him to stick around we have to give him the titles to assuage that ego without paying him extra. That's why he's our Sidekick. This prestige not only energizes him whenever we take a break, it also allows us to extract even more work from him with Side-by-Side and Frenemies. A good manager knows that intrinsic motivation isn't enough by itself; a celebrated team needs to look capable from the outside. This is where our Advanced Suits come in. The admiring gaze of coworkers and crowds is sure keep your team distracted from how little work you're actually doing. And having a nice catchphrase like Suit Up will make sure that your people are mobilized quickly and stylishly. Finally, regular Team Training keeps them on the job so you don't have to be.

Slide 3: Inspiring Metaphor

Every good manager knows the power of an inspiring metaphor, and the only one any middle manager needs is the target. Making sure your people know how to get closer to the bullseye requires Target Practice. The reality of middle management, however, is that we really only have budget to give Cable and X-23 Sidearms to use this Target Practice, but it will make sure their Advanced Suits always keep them looking good.

Slide 4: Team Name

The real glue that keeps morale in check and your team working is a good team name, and ours is one of the best. The Uncanny X-Force means that our people can take care of any side schemes the opposition wants to play with no reprocussions at all. If someone else is taking a short vacation, even Caliban is useful now.

Slide 5: Buzzwords

Of course the best way to keep others working is through targeted praise and liberal use of buzzwords. Resources like Energy, Genius, and Strength will not only get your people on the job, they also make nice flair for their Advanced Suits. And Innovation is always motivating to keep your team's eyes on the prize. Keeping a Clarity of Purpose is essential, as you are the glue that keeps them working and you... not. Finally, having a cool title for yourself keeps a healthy divide between you and your underlings and helps your efforts have more visibility. Weapon X keeps your contributions in the spotlight.