Final answer:
Managers play a critical role in influencing employees' job satisfaction and career progression by providing development opportunities and affecting promotion decisions. As a company grows, the need for personal relationships with managers diminishes among external investors. Establishing a strong relationship with one's manager is still crucial, although in some situations, it might be necessary to leave a job for mental health.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the role of managers, it is true that managers have significant influence over job satisfaction and career growth. They hold the keys to skill development opportunities, like approving trainings, and their recommendations can heavily impact decisions about raises, promotions, and job references, thus shaping upper management's view of an individual employee.
However, as a firm matures and strategy solidifies, the necessity for personal knowledge of individual managers decreases. This is because comprehensive information about the company's products, revenues, costs, and profits becomes more available. Consequently, external investors such as bondholders and shareholders may feel more confident investing capital in the firm without a personal relationship with its managers.
Despite this trend, the manager's approach and the resources they provide are still vital to setting the tone for employees' approach to work and their overall performance. Establishing a positive and mutually productive relationship with one's manager remains essential for a fulfilling work experience. At times, if a positive relationship can't be forged, it may be in the employee's best interest to consider other employment options for their own mental well-being.