Who's Got The Monkey By William Oncken

Managers and subordinates both have a very distinct relationship. As described in the article Who’s Got the Monkey by William Oncken, Jr., & Donald L. Wass, “the monkey” is the ultimate exchange between the manager and his or her team members. The monkey is most certainly the time, work effort, ethic, pressure, and most importantly, the responsibility that a manager and an employee exchanges throughout their time spent together. I personally view the “monkey” metaphorically as the big kahuna! Shifting the monkey between the two relevant parties is a task like no other because, the monkey is, essentially, the relationship between an employee and their boss; it is a valuable form of communication. I can’t say that I personally see the “monkey” as a
If I were a manager, I’d find it honorably applicable to insert an additional rule because sometimes, as the boss, you have to come up with your own rules. I am not blatantly encouraging reckless or continuous behavior but, I do believe that sometimes (very limited times), bending the rules for the sufficiency of the business is completely reasonable under certain circumstances. You have to release your OWN way of thinking and handling situations. That would be my 6th rule. If a manager is not willing to step up and make some unorthodox decisions at some point in their career, then they might as well relinquish their managerial position and fill the shoes of a subordinate. Metaphorically, the monkey will only starve if you let it. Feed and care for the monkey, even if it isn’t on your back. As a manager, you have to be responsible for virtually everything. Starving the monkey only shows your lack of ability to maintain as the boss. I believe if there’s a will then there’s a way. If you are willing to go above and beyond for the sake of your business, then there is no way you won’t come out on top almost every