The Fifth Column: An Algorithm for the Optimum Placement of Competent Management

The literature of management is replete with discussions of how to dispose of incompetent managers. The methods range from blatant Theory X: (“You're FIRED!!!!!!!!”) to the softest of Theory Y: (“No doubt, you would be much happier in some place that would give a greater scope to your abilities.”) The exact method used is seldom a province for even the most behaviorist troops among the ranks of MS/OR. However, an area that, I believe, is of interest to our more psychologically oriented brethren is the problem of how to remove an outstandingly competent person who also happens to be less than a delight to work for.