Some People Should Never, Ever Be Managers

PREFACE “””””””””””””””””‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’ The two most valuable assets any company has are its people and its data. People are the heart and soul of every organization—they spark innovation, drive progress, and create culture. Data complements their efforts by guiding decisions and shaping strategy. And yet, many companies still struggle to manage both of these critical resources effectively. This book is my personal journey—one that explores how managing people and data can be improved to build workplaces where everyone feels respected, valued, and motivated to succeed. What inspired me to write this book was the consistent pattern of poor leadership I witnessed across the decades. Despite the variety of companies and managers I encountered, true leadership was rare. I found myself asking: • Why does outstanding leadership seem so rare? • Why do companies tolerate mediocrity—or worse, abuse? • How do toxic leaders keep harming people and getting away with it? • Why do businesses continue to face challenges with inconsistent and duplicated data? These questions drove me to take action and tell my story. Too often, companies tolerate toxic leaders—people whose behavior undermines culture, damages morale, and leaves lasting harm. The ripple effect hits not just performance, but also people’s well-being, families, and sense of purpose. These issues can’t be ignored. Businesses must do better— not just for the sake of company performance, but for the well-being of the people who make organizations successful. I’ve been in that place—feeling stuck, undervalued, and uncertain about what comes next. It’s tough to stay motivated when leadership fails and support fades. But you have more power than you realize. Nobody deserves mistreatment, and this book is here to help you find clarity, confidence, and strength to move forward. When I entered IT, I often felt like an outsider—one of the few Latinos in the room. Even with a college degree, I was assigned routine tasks that didn’t match my potential. But that experience pushed me to seek growth, find a better path, and commit to meaningful leadership. Growing up Mexican-American in a difficult environment taught me the importance of treating people with dignity. Those life lessons helped shape the kind of leader I became—someone who listens, connects, and lifts others. I believe that even when things seem overwhelming, there is always a way forward. Over my forty-year career in management, I’ve worked at thirteen companies and reported to thirty-three different managers. Each experience taught me valuable lessons about what makes leadership work—and where it falls short. Five milestones have defined my career: • Serving as one of the industry’s first Database Administrators • Building and leading five high-performing data teams • Driving the advancement of modern data management practices • Co-founding the Puget Sound chapter of DAMA to promote collaboration and best practices • Contributing to the development of MOSES standards for large-scale open-system applications Throughout my career in data management, I've been a strong advocate for solutions that prioritize reliability, integrity, and security. I’ve consistently challenged the inefficiencies of scattered data storage, which drives up costs and leads to errors. Along the way, I co-founded the Seattle DAMA chapter, helping to build a community where professionals could connect, share knowledge, and grow together. My new book offers an inside look at the evolution of the data profession, including its challenges and breakthroughs. But at its core, the book tackles a deeper issue that impacts every workplace: poor management. This book is my final professional contribution— a legacy built on decades of leadership and data expertise. It's my way of giving back, sharing what I've learned about leadership, resilience, and building a purposeful life to help you grow as a leader, speak up with confidence, and build a truly inspiring career. It's also a thank-you to the people who shaped my journey —and a call to anyone determined to rise above poor management and thrive.