I do understand and I've been there.  I managed (very poorly, I might add) a branch office of a family freight company.  I wasn't the total dictator.  There were moments when we were an inspired functional organization, but generally I was a weak tyrant.  Only later, comparing the inspired team to the weak tyrant, I came to begin understand the difference.  I was so tired for those years as manager because of the effort I was exerting to try to manipulate and control everyone.  It did seem like it would have been great if it had only worked!

Thanks very much for the insightful remarks.

Mike...