TBM 422: Exception, Presence, Delegation

A framework called Exception, Presence, and Delegation is explored as a lens for understanding current organizational dysfunction. Exception-based management uses signals and dashboards to flag deviations; presence-based management means staying close to the work to build intuition; delegation pushes authority to those closest to the work. The three motions form a virtuous loop when balanced, but each breaks down without the other two. Mintzberg's organizational configurations are mapped to these motions. Case studies of Alan Mulally at Ford, Brian Chesky at Airbnb, and Jensen Huang at Nvidia illustrate the difference between using presence as scaffolding to build systems versus using it as a permanent replacement for delegation and exception systems. The framework is then applied to explain why leaders seem out of touch, why AI is making cognitive load heavier rather than lighter, and why middle management and glue people are being scapegoated despite providing invisible but critical connective tissue.