Hi, Paul - interesting post:)

I agree with your basic premise that some leaders/managers seem to play games with knowledge, withholding inappropriately and forcing employees to "figure it out" themselves, rather than work as a functional team.

However, I have also experienced the poorly motivated employee who has little initiative or ability to critically think about and solve problems.   People bemoan the lack of good-paying jobs, but sometimes cringe rather than accept the responsibilities which go with the higher pay.

Sometimes a manager withholds information when they should share and sometimes they share when the employee should think it through ... neither end of this coninuum is optimal.

This strikes me as yet more evidence that a coaching-focused approach produces the best results.  I am talking here about treating the employee as a person who has skills and resources, and who will do well with the appropriate support, then engaging and helping that person think about issues and become self-powered.

Thanks for a thought-provoking post.

John