I manage through a sense of humor. We all work hard, and work has to be a really interesting, fun place. And that has to start at the top.
I'm kind of a Midwestern snob. I think we're just nice people and have a great work ethic.
I became a sales manager at Digital Equipment, promoted from within the sales team. My peers were less than excited that I had gotten the job, especially one of my male peers who said he just wasn't going to work for a woman.