Thoughts on Management and Dirty Tricks

Something poisonous lurking in the Blacka Moor undergrowth. The veil fragments suggest an Amanita, probably Panther Cap

I've been lucky in that the people I've worked with, and for, have on the whole behaved honourably. But talking to others suggests that this is not a common experience, perhaps getting less so.

Organisations like to tell a flattering story about themselves which constitutes their public face. It's part of the public relations agenda that this story has to be coherent and convincing. The important thing is not to let trivial and unimportant matters like facts and the truth get in the way of the story you want to tell. Effective management keeps the troops under control all toeing the management line. In the event of any independent thinker daring to raise his head he must be dealt with ruthlessly.

There are various strategems available to the assiduous manager.....
......................................aarghh!!!

no, ………….. false alarm, my bilberry pie was not, after all, laced with tincture of panther cap, but that may yet come.

As I was saying there are a number of devious approaches all useful in marginalizing the opposition who dare to have independent thoughts. Key to a successful approach is a determination, come what may, not to discuss the real issues. If you do this you are almost certainly lost, because the independent thinker is quite likely to be right, in fact he almost certainly is. And this is not about being right, it’s about having power. The really successful people are leaders who get their own way even when everyone knows they are in the wrong.

To effectively marginalize the independent thinker’s valid criticism firstly nod sagely and patronize, talking broadly about philosophical distinctions and implying that we have to live in the real world.
If this medicine is rejected or ineffective move on to stage two. This is to personalize the issue. Indicate in the sketchiest way that you know the individual concerned has a particular interest in this area implying but not saying that they have ‘a bee in the bonnet’ or an unhealthy obsession and eventually maybe a sense of paranoia. At the same time cultivate a small loyal group hopefully not of the brightest intellects, who you favour in some way. It’s useful to talk about the non conformist to this group initially in the most tolerant terms while allowing it to be known that this is causing you untold pain. Once a whispering has been set up the process of isolating your prey becomes a lot easier. Sooner or later the individual begins to see the advantages of seeking employment elsewhere or even taking early retirement.

Oh what a tangled web we weave.................