This is a 2009 article by Paul Graham. It’s a rare example of real two-way empathy. Most articles about the conflict between creators and managers are strictly from one side. Managers say creators are lazy slobs, designers say managers are cruel villains. I’m purely on the designer side, and this article helped me to understand (but not enjoy) what managers have to do.

Managers meet. That’s what they do all the time, on a scheduled basis. Sitting down and focusing on one task for days or months at a time is impossible for a manager.

Here’s what I didn’t know before: Managers create by holding ‘speculative meetings’, bringing in people who might have a useful idea or might be a useful employee or advisor.