> "The Coaching Habit."

Oh wow. This comment just completely explained the worst "manager" I ever had. They must have been using this terrible method.

>no matter how direct the request was or how much it really needed management authority behind it.

They nearly drove me insane with this circular cycle. It was the only job I ever walked out on. I emailed on a Sunday night that I would not be returning to the office after a particularly terrible cycle of this nonsense.

To be clear I am not a "needy" employee. When I ask a manager for something it is because I do not have the authority do the thing.

Tell the manager you are assuming their authority.

You will force the answer out of them either way