No. 118 · People · Economics
Managing to the Person
People differ, so the best way to lead each of them differs too.
In the Almanac
“Lincoln’s team of rivals”, 1861–1865 · “Bridgewater Associates”, 2010s
Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.
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Questions
What is Managing to the Person?
Managing to the person means adapting your leadership to each individual's motivations, communication style, and strengths rather than using one approach for everyone. Lincoln handled each member of his team of rivals differently and held a fractious cabinet together through the Civil War.
How do you use Managing to the Person?
Study the people you work with closely, as if writing a user manual for each relationship. Tailor feedback to how each person best receives it, whether direct, gentle, written, or spoken. Shape development paths and expectations around individual needs while keeping standards fair.
When does Managing to the Person matter?
Managing to the Person is one of the 60 mental models for people, the situations where you ask: Why do people act as they do, and how do I work with them? Within that, it belongs to “Leading people”, alongside Carrot and Stick, Distributive Justice vs Procedural Justice and Golem Effect.
What is an example of Managing to the Person?
Two stories show it at work: Lincoln’s team of rivals (1861–1865) and Bridgewater Associates (2010s). Both are told in full in The Mental Models Daily Almanac, which has two stories for each of its 365 models.
Which mental models are related to Managing to the Person?
Introverts vs Extroverts, Personas and Theory of Mind. Managing to the Person itself comes from economics.