Not always. Not like when he's in true mobster mode. But sometimes he looks like he could be a boring middle manager who came in at the end; when the best was over.
While we're at it, what about his voice. Sure, then he's yelling he is totally intimidating. But sometimes that nasally voice sounds like someone wore him down to a little nub; like he's a squeaking little gerbil.
Michael Scott (Office US), David Brent, (Office UK), Bill Lumbergh (Office Space - 1999), and the Pointy-Haired Boss (Dilbert comics OR TV show) face off in a demonstration of managerial mayhem. We will see who is the worst boss, and who might actually manage to manage!
For each round: Who comes out on top in this scenario? Who fails miserably? Which subordinate (or match-up of subordinates), in each situation, can prevent their manager from failing miserably? Which subordinate(s) could prevent the top manager from succeeding?
BONUS Include your favorite stereotypical manager character(s) not on the list in each round. No, your boss does not count unless there has been some movie, cartoon, tv show, etc made about him or her.
For Michael Scott, or if you choose another manager whose workforce/office changes significantly: specify when in that character's run as manager you're referring to, and as applicable, their subordinates relevant to the outcome.
Round one: Assume each office uses a combination copier/fax machine. A virus has taken hold of every copier/fax in the world, which: on the first copy/fax, prints or sends a subtle dickbutt watermark, on the second copy/fax, faxes a dickbutt to every fax number the fax has so far sent to or computer on the network that has printed from that machine, and on the third copy, starts smoking, sparking, and within a minute, is engulfed in flames.
Round 2: Shortage or supplier dispute has lead to a shortage of paperclips, staples, scotch tape, sticky notes, highlighters, stamps, envelopes, coffee filters, creamer, dish soap, 5-gallon watercooler jugs, and paper cups. Also the circuit to the refrigerator, microwave, toaster and other breakroom appliances has blown. None of these things will be available until after payday (in 13 days).
Round 3: The board of each company has put the competing manager in charge of convincing the CEO to step down. You have four tools: your best employee, your worst employee, the most embarrassing (or fireable) thing you've done as manager, and if applicable, your CEO's greatest weakness. The winning manager must somehow keep their job.
Round 4: Each manager must do their actual job, ensure that their employees do their jobs, while maintaining morale, increasing productivity, and outperforming (on a relative increase basis in all categories) the other managers.
Round 5: Similar to round 4, but with sub-rounds: each manager manages the other managers as t
... keep reading on reddit ➡Searching for a Dilbert Strip where Pointy Haired Boss buys a Giraffe so he won't lose next year's budget. Google failed me. I have a lot of books but have not yet found it.
Image has PHB holding a leash that goes UP out of frame.
It was ironic and probably had something to do about training, and he used an analogy of a car mechanic charging a lot of money just to tap his engine once with a hammer. (that tap did fix the engine).
Thanks.
I read Dilbert a lot as a kid (I am 34 now). I used to always think the Pointy Haired Boss was just dumb and an idiot but today in my daily calendar it was the comic from 10-28-13 and the PHB tells Wally he sees him as a "sausage casing full of coffee and rotting organs". Now, I dont know if its because I have worked IT for the last 10 years after 12 years in retail but I dont remember him being that mean and nasty from older comics. I could be way off base but has anyone else noticed this?
