What's the First Rule of Management?

Discover the Unspoken Truth Behind Great Leadership

When Chuck Palahniuk wrote Fight Club in 1996, amidst themes like masculinity, anti-consumerism, and tourist therapy, he painted a vivid picture of the disillusionment at the core of the American workforce.

His characters, trapped in jobs that drained their spirit, felt powerless and ignored. They were not just cogs in the machine; they were the unseen engine that kept the world moving; the janitors, the drivers, the clerks. They remained unrecognised, undervalued, and disconnected from the so-called ‘American Dream’. 

The book, and later the film, showed what can happen when a group of people come together with a common purpose—in Fight Club, they create chaos. But what if, instead of chaos, that common purpose was harnessed for something good?

A Changing World

I first watched Fight Club in 2001. It resonated with me because, just three months earlier, I had been working in a hotel, feeling disconnected from my own life. But now I was backpacking across South-East Asia, trying to lose myself, or find myself, I can’t quite remember which. Five months later, on September 11, flights AA11 and AA175 hit the Twin Towers and the world changed forever.

Since then, technology has revolutionised how we work, connect, and consume. Social media has brought unprecedented connectivity but also distraction and misinformation. Financial institutions have delivered crisis after crisis, and politicians and media have deepened divisions between people. 

Add a global pandemic, constant wars, and the rapidly evolving climate emergency -  it’s no wonder that trust in the media, governments, and corporations is at an all-time low. It feels as though we are constantly on the edge of a new crisis, barely having time to breathe between each one.

The More Things Change, the More We Stay the Same

Some things, though, never change. In the decades since Fight Club was first published, some basic truths remain the same. One of the things the pandemic and its resulting lockdowns taught us is how reliant we still are on the workers who do the day-to-day jobs to keep things running. It was the delivery drivers, the nurses, the packers, the carers, the farmers; people risking their lives and the lives of others to keep the wheels turning.

But the rub is this: it's now years since the pandemic, and the majority of people doing these essential jobs are still underpaid and undervalued. In a world of thought leaders, tech billionaires, and leadership gurus, people seem unhappier and more disengaged than ever. It’s no wonder trends like quiet quitting, un-bossing, and side hustles are on the rise.

In fact, with the advent of AI, hybrid working, and the much debated four-day week - we could be witnessing the end of the workplace as we know it. 

Are We Missing the Bigger Battle?

So, what is the answer? Should we clear out our garages, roll up our sleeves, and start fighting each other? Aren't we already, with words, memes, and tweets from the safety of our screens?

Surely the time for fighting is over. What we need now is not chaos, but kindness. Not shallow workplace perks, but genuine human connection. It's time to treat the people who work for you the way you would want to be treated.

What if we redefined what it means to be a leader in this chaotic, fast-changing world? What if kindness, empathy, and respect were the first rules of management?

Imagine what could happen if every worker, across every level and industry, were respected, valued, and inspired. What if they had something to believe in? What if they had someone who believed in them? What if they woke up in the morning, not dreading work, but feeling a sense of possibility, maybe even excited about it?

Would they stay longer? Be more loyal? Try harder? Would their well-being improve? Would they be more productive and succeed more? Would their relationships and lives outside of work get better?

We believe the answer is ‘yes’. And we believe the people who can help make this happen are the managers, supervisors, and team leaders. The ones who know their people, who see them every day, who have the power to make work better or worse.

Leaders have the opportunity to create environments where people don’t just survive but thrive. We believe, if companies empower their managers to put people first, the workplace, and the world, will change for the better.

The First Step to Management Success

So, next time someone is late, calls in sick, misses a deadline or just seems to be having a rough day, remember this: Most of us are dealing with things far more important than work. And if you take things personally and react badly in these situations, you’ll only create more problems. Kindness is not weakness, it’s the foundation of leadership.

So be empathetic. Be understanding, and more importantly, always remember the first rule of management: Be kind.

---

• Enjoyed this article? Want more insights on leadership and the future of work? Sign up for our newsletter The Layer Cake for weekly tips, strategies, and stories delivered straight to your inbox.https://www.managekind.com/newsletter

  
  

• I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below or share your own experiences about managing in today’s changing world.