Manager accuses employee of being "too nice" to his team, leading employee to look for a new job: 'I'm not good because my team likes me'

Can a manager be "too nice" to their employee? Is that even a thing?

Most employees, if not all, would never complain about a nice manager. Why would they? A nice manager means someone who knows when to praise someone for a job well done, someone who is not overbearing or toxic, and is ready to accept criticism when it is due. Any employee would sacrifice almost any other benefit at work for a nice manager, and many others would not think twice before leaving a job because of a manager who is the exact opposite.

When the manager below sat down with his boss for his yearly performance review, the last thing he was expecting to hear was criticism about him being too nice to his team. Apparently, the boss firmly believes that the team should fear the manager and that the manager needs to "be more of an alpha" to his employees.

Advocating for his team when they raise concerns or complaints? Big no no! Instead, this manager should command their respect and make them fear him. That is where the true strength of a manager lies.

… Or so this boss says.

After the performance review ended, this manager took time to reconsider his role i...