The basic "problem" with what you're asking for is that it inverts the power relationship between management and labor. In asking for a quiet space to think and act accordingly, what you're really expecting is autonomy. Within this environment, managers become facilitators / concierges. They are manifestly not the "leaders". Nor are they bosses in any traditional sense of the word.
From the perspective of capital, this isn't such a bad thing. After all, capital cares about the ends, not the means. Management, on the other hand, is intensely concerned with he means, and specifically, with any means that don't assure them a position of social dominance.
This is not a call to cut out the middlemen that sit between capital and labor. Rather, it's a suggestion that both capital and labor would be better off if the role and status of management were changed quite dramatically.
As an immediate consequence, professional management roles would start attracting a very different sort of candidate. Ideally, this change would represent a structural imposition of the No Asshole Rule.
There is a hypocrisy. Language about wanting "educated" workers who are "empowered" to solve problems.
The environment that is created and fostered is exactly the opposite.
I "paid my dues". I delivered, and exceeded -- as repeatedly acknowledged by my management.
Despite that, there was very limited acceptance of my input into what would make things better.
The problem with calling this a "problem", is that it puts the finger right upon the hypocrisy of ALL this language and discussion. Employers are saying one thing, and doing exactly the opposite.
My message to younger folks is precisely this: DON'T buy in to ANY of today's messaging.
If you don't see concrete, useful ACTIONS, it is simply, as I said, "bullshit". End of story.
There: I just saved you twenty years.
P.S. And that means actions NOW. Any and all language about what is to come? Empty. Just substitute a big NULL -- or perhaps even an error condition, if you perceive it may be part of an intentional effort to deceive that goes beyond just "normal" empty messaging.
P.P.S. Despite the validity of what I've said (I think), I find my personal bitterness is again spilling over into my comments. Time for another break from making them.
By the way, some of those "menial" tasks were -- of themselves and due to interactions with colleagues -- actually the more enjoyable parts of some jobs.
Too bad that so much of actually, physically "getting the job done" seems to be looked down on, these days. Do it too much or too willingly, and you risk getting pigeon-holed as either too culpable/readily-exploitable or otherwise not... "management material", for lack of a better expression for it.
P.P.S. I meant to add that in my experience, some of the specific events described in the OP were actually for me some of the most depressing experiences:
Official "parties" and "celebrations" one attended because it was mandatory or expected, refreshments and other expenses were all "budgeted" in a rather obvious fashion, and conversation had little to go beyond work topics or the same conversation that was already happening cube-side and "at the water coooler".
All the more sad when employees were expected to kick in to cover the expenses.
A genuine evening out that one paid for oneself and where one had some fun? Fine. These "we're going to celebrate now" events -- not so much.
I guess some people enjoy them. To me, much of it seemed terribly transparent and shallow. For my part, I still tried to and mostly succeeded in being genuine during them. But it was not that much "fun" and didn't make me very "happy", and because of my honesty often put me somewhat on the periphery, socially.
From the perspective of capital, this isn't such a bad thing. After all, capital cares about the ends, not the means. Management, on the other hand, is intensely concerned with he means, and specifically, with any means that don't assure them a position of social dominance.
This is not a call to cut out the middlemen that sit between capital and labor. Rather, it's a suggestion that both capital and labor would be better off if the role and status of management were changed quite dramatically.
As an immediate consequence, professional management roles would start attracting a very different sort of candidate. Ideally, this change would represent a structural imposition of the No Asshole Rule.