Good point. I've seen some crappy situations, and I know there's all sorts of innovations in crappiness that different people have to endure.
Let's say I'm in the crappy scenario from TFA, and I have to be able to report the employee velocity metrics to upper management. I can still be honest with the employee about it.
Maybe one conversation would go like this: "You and the rest of the team are all doing great work together. There's a process thing I've been asked to do, which I wanted to get your input on. It's individual velocity metrics, and pressure to have the charts trend like so. Thoughts? ... Understood, and we're going to have to see how this works, and give feedback. For now, ideas on how we can get metrics trending in the desired way, honestly, and without significantly compromising our work? ... Are you OK doing that extra process? ... Will it save your time to offload the Jira part to me, and you just tell me the numbers? ..."
Honestly, that’s worse. If you work for assholes, pretending to be a nice guy is worse than just being an asshole.
I say “pretend” because no matter your intentions, you’re a straw boss, and eventually you’ll toe the line or separate. Remember the supervisor is stuck there too.
Of course I'd leave eventually, if the evil lizard people situation can't be improved. But I disagree that continuing to be a good colleague/leader (not "nice") makes the situation worse.
In that example, seems like the employee was getting the most accurate available information about what the situation was.
If I was part of a solid team, I wouldn't know when to decide "Well, we've been invaded by evil lizard people, so time to start being jerks." I'd still be all about supporting the team and its work.
Besides doing our work being the default, I'd keep in mind that some team members might not be able to flee the evil lizard people. If I went all jerk-mode, that would just compound the negatives of the overall lizard-people environment, and the consequent drop in team effectiveness might also increase risk to the livelihoods of the people who can't leave.
If you’re a low dollar contractor on a work visa making $25/hr to sling J2EE or COBOL for the Arkansas welfare department, that’s what it’s like.
If you don’t play the game, you stand to lose a lot.