I hired you to think.

I have literally been told, "I didn't hire you to think." It was a job I had in college, working in a warehouse, and I had just organized the parts racks. Everyone that worked in the store loved it except the guy who failed to organize the warehouse before I was there. I decided around that time that I wanted to work with people who expected me to think. As a manager, I hire people specifically for their thinking skills. I foster an environment and relationships with my associates that encourages feedback. If I have a bad idea, I want to know it and I want to know what makes it bad. I owe a great deal of the success I've had as a manager to the people I hire, their valuable input, and our ability to work together.