That's old school thinking. I used to agree but circumstances have changed. Putting that stress on myself isn't in my pay band description. Atlanta is handcuffing us and taking over local decisions like hiring and I'm not going to pretend they're not. It's no big deal, UPS is just changing management styles. Atlanta wants to run things and I'm content to let them.
Since when did a manager become a glorified supervisor? Don't you still get 2 units?
This is a defeatist attitude and an excuse not to do the job you are assigned to do. I was a manager for 20+ years in my 35+ year career. As a manager, I saw 20 years of change in "management style(s)".
You may call it "old school", but I call it experience. The benefit of having a mentor is the ability to acquire knowledge without having to go through the sometimes tough journey that brings you experience or wisdom.
I actually remember when a preload could shut the rear door of every vehicle and turn off the lights a half hour before the drivers started. I knew it could be done and was able to take that knowledge to other areas and work hard to make it happen again. There was no defeatist attitude because I actually HAD succeeded in doing it.
I know that the easy answer is "well you have been gone for 5 years so you don't know what you are talking about." BUT, I heard the exact same thing you posted above before I retired. You need to have the attitude that
your center is your responsibility. Use out of the box thinking to reach your goals, fight for your activities to reach the goals. Show your bosses how you are making gains.
You want to know how to do this? Treat your people with dignity and respect and ask them for their help. Show them how to help. Give them an at-a-boy when they do it. Create challenges and rewards - take it out of your own pocket if you have to.
As a manager, I would be embarrassed to make the highlighted comment above.