Last week I met a man who introduced himself as the "(insert name of very successful CEO here) Whisperer" only moments before he told my colleague and I to "Google" him when asked him what his specific role was on the project we were meeting about.
I've worked with plenty of odd people before. Egomaniacs. Sociopaths. Cross-dressers. And so many more. But, I've never ever met a man that made me dislike him with less than ten words out of his mouth.
He is one part of a larger team of men, also in that meeting, that are paid millions for absolutely nothing of value. They tout their successes, but when they are "Googled" those successes seem to be fabricated. They tout job histories that include some factual references but not in the order or magnitude that they are constantly spouting about. As a group they are dangerous.
As an outsider, they appear to be pirates... hijacking the management infrastructure of a fragile organization, adding fear and distrust among the masses who have worked so hard to build something good, something of value, something with values. They have devalued the work that built a billion dollar company. They are stripping the company of its character as they prove that they have little character.
I hate doing work that is destroying good work done by some of my best friends. I hate supporting a brand change that I would never get behind because I have no belief in their message or story. Even worse, though, is that this is not uncommon. Many companies are in this position, doing this very thing, making unfortunate and destructive decisions out of desperation, uncertainty, insecurity, and a pressure to do nothing more than make money.
And, really, who the hell says "Google me"? Who? An asshat.
I've worked with plenty of odd people before. Egomaniacs. Sociopaths. Cross-dressers. And so many more. But, I've never ever met a man that made me dislike him with less than ten words out of his mouth.
He is one part of a larger team of men, also in that meeting, that are paid millions for absolutely nothing of value. They tout their successes, but when they are "Googled" those successes seem to be fabricated. They tout job histories that include some factual references but not in the order or magnitude that they are constantly spouting about. As a group they are dangerous.
As an outsider, they appear to be pirates... hijacking the management infrastructure of a fragile organization, adding fear and distrust among the masses who have worked so hard to build something good, something of value, something with values. They have devalued the work that built a billion dollar company. They are stripping the company of its character as they prove that they have little character.
I hate doing work that is destroying good work done by some of my best friends. I hate supporting a brand change that I would never get behind because I have no belief in their message or story. Even worse, though, is that this is not uncommon. Many companies are in this position, doing this very thing, making unfortunate and destructive decisions out of desperation, uncertainty, insecurity, and a pressure to do nothing more than make money.
And, really, who the hell says "Google me"? Who? An asshat.
