Manager Tells Clever Employee He "Doesn’t Care How He Does His Job and to Just Do It", So He Does Exactly That

Another classic tale in malicious compliance. The last thing you want to do as a manager is mess with the sole employee who knows how to execute a vital task of your business. It's probably best to manage them as you need to and otherwise live and let live.

Otherwise, you end up in the situation that his bad boss has found himself in. Up a creek without a paddle. Good luck getting yourself home buddy.