What's a miserable employee to do?

So what hope is there for the 77% of employees who say they hate their jobs? What can they do that might make things better?
According to Lencioni: "The first thing they can do is assess whether their manager is interested in and capable of addressing the three things that are required. And they have to realize that most managers really do want to improve, in spite of the fact that they may seem disinterested.

The second thing miserable employees need to do is help their managers understand what it is they need. If they have a strong relationship with their manager, they can come right out and say it; "You know, it would mean a lot to me if you knew more about who I am and what makes me tick.” or, “Can you sit down and help me understand why this work I’m doing makes a difference to someone?”

Finally, employees would do well for themselves if they turned the tables and started doing for their managers what they want for themselves. For instance, employees who take a greater interest in the life of their managers are bound to infect them with the same kind of human interest. Similarly, employees who take the time to tell their managers (in a non suck-up kind of way) about the impact they have on their job satisfaction, will likely inspire them to respond in kind.

However, if an employee comes to the conclusion that his or her manager is indeed completely disinterested in helping them find fulfillment in their work, it may well be time to start looking for a new job.

Unfortunately, I've only known one manager who was willing to make real changes and meet the needs of his staff when he became aware that he was falling short. I'm not sure what happens to people when they become managers. Do they become so insecure that they are afraid to get close to their staff? Do they become so self-focused that they forget that their staff needs connection with them? Are they are just too busy or is it that they really don't care?
I'm not sure, but if the research is right, and I have no reason to think Gallup or Blanchard groups got it wrong, then there is a lot of really bad management out there.
What should companies and organizations be doing to guard against the miserable manager syndrome?