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The Fine Art of 'Boss Science'

Posted by Zonk on from the hot-air-rises-is-a-pretty-basic-principle dept.

BoredStiff writes "NYMag has up an article that explores Boss Science and the minds of American corporate leaders. In the real world, bosses are known to suffer from a long list of social pathologies: naked aggression, credit hogging, micromanaging, bullying, you name it. Leadership research shows that subtle nasty moves like glaring and condescending comments, explicit moves like insults or put-downs, and even physical intimidation can be effective paths to power. Research also shows that employees tend to see the jerk as boss material. The article goes on to discuss some of the science bosses apply to making an operation run smoothly: 'A researcher reported that one law firm deconstructs its HR needs by personality traits. It insists on extremely bright employees who are also extremely insecure. 'They want them to think that working really hard matters,' he explains. Through this prism, personality types can even be mixed and matched to make a team function more efficiently.'"

10 of 209 comments (clear)

  1. Coincidence? by zyl0x · · Score: 4, Funny

    Boss Science reminds me of another acronym.. can't seem to remember it, but I'm sure it had something to do with upper management..

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    Blerg.
    1. Re:Coincidence? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Maybe it was the initials? BS? Bull Shit? Wow.
      Just...
      Wow.

      Hey guys. Could you leave your little brothers at home next time?
  2. Re:Works for elections too! by endianx · · Score: 2, Funny

    Which country are you referring too? Here in the US, I don't think there has been a president in my lifetime that was perceived as a jerk.

  3. Re:What matters then? by node+3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    You're hired!

  4. This caught my attention... by 8127972 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "In the real world, bosses are known to suffer from a long list of social pathologies: naked aggression, credit hogging, micromanaging, bullying, you name it. "

    So that explains everything that Ballmer has ever done. I knew there had to be a logical reason.

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    This is my opinion. To make sure you don't steal it, it's covered by the DMCA.
  5. Re:Works for elections too! by Hognoxious · · Score: 1, Funny

    wasn't Bill Clinton pretty widely perceived as a jerk for sleeping around (and then lying about it in court)?
    I think he was perceived as a jerk because of the big fat hound he chose to sleep around with. I may be wrong.
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    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  6. Bah! by Stanistani · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have no patience for analysis. I use cheat codes, defeat the bosses, and win the game.

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    You can't talk about Wikipedia's flaws on Wikipedia
  7. Re:WWJD? by Jake73 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I see this all over the place. WWJD...WWJD...What Would Jake Do... Why does everyone care so much what I would do?

  8. ObSpaceballs by sconeu · · Score: 4, Funny

    Evil will always win because good is dumb!

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    General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
  9. Re:Works for elections too! by metlin · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think he was perceived as a jerk because of the big fat hound he chose to sleep around with. I may be wrong.


    Dude, have you *seen* Hillary?! :-\

    That poor man.