[vanusa]

It seems the world of management is full of petty narcissistic control freaks.

It can sure seem that way -- and no doubt is that way, in certain situations.

More often I find they're simply ... scared. Of how they'll be evaluated, or what will happen if they make a mistake (or heavens, let someone below them make a mistake). Or of simply being "found out" (that they're not nearly as experienced or as sage in their advice as others have made them out to be).