The Workplace: Is Mr. Nice Guy Back?

With worker morale shredded by layoffs, some managers are trying kinder, gentler ways to restore competitiveness to American industry

Good management is largely a matter of love. Or if you are uncomfortable | with that word, call it caring

-- James Autry, Love and Profit

What's that again? Love? Caring? But how can the Age of Aquarius be descending upon corporate America, flooding boardrooms with 1960s-era flower children, when retail chains are closing hundreds of outlets and major firms laying off thousands of employees?

At last look, tough-guy tactics were in vogue and such crash courses in killer management as Winning Through Intimidation and Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun were required reading in the executive suite. The practitioners were...

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