[ilc]

No, not every problem is solvable. If my boss asks me if 1+1=3, I will never tell him it does. There are managers who want to hear 1+1=3. And won't accept anything less.

There are managers who actively look to destroy people. It happens, for various reasons, including favoritism, nepotism or whatever. It isn't mine to know why. It is mine to know that it happens. And I've seen it plenty.

When negativity is in charge.... negativity wins. When zero and negative sum is the only game to be played... those of us who play a positive game suffer.

I'm glad you've never seen these dynamics, and been able to dodge them. But trust me. I've seen it, and I've seen it destroy great teams.

The way he can change his state is exactly how he did: Leave. Sometimes it really is that bad. May it never get there for you.