Choice passages detailing the management practices of L.A.'s early waterworks industry.

This spurs some hope for those of us who aren't the classic management types:

"Thomas Brooks, in charge of constructing water mains for the company, remembered that once as he had stood in a ditch inspecting the work, ( (city water zanjero, 1880-86, Charles N.) Jenkins rode up and without preamble demanded that Brooks fire two men who, Jenkins felt, were interfering with city plans. When Brooks refused, Jenkins pulled a knife from his belt and demanded that Brooks come out of the ditch so that he could cut out his heart. When Brooks still refused, Jenkins simply pulled around and rode off."

"The story has often been told how (Los Angeles Water Company President, William Hayes) Perry, as he made his rounds of the waterworks, spied a worker vigorously clearing weeds and debris along the zanja that led to the reservoir at Elysian Park. Calling out "What are you doing?" he received a rude "None of your damn business" from the young worker, who continued shoveling. After Perry had flicked his reins and ridden on, a fellow worker informed the young laborer, Mulholland, that the departing man was president of the water company. Prepared to be fired, Mulholland headed for the office to turn in his time but instead was advanced to foreman of the work crew."

Taken from

William Mulholland And The Rise of Los Angeles.

And with that, I'm off to work.