Manage Your Life

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Friday "Office" poll: Has your manager undermined you lately?

NBC/The Office

NBC/The Office

Boy, Michael barely flinched before he threw Jim under the bus on this week's episode of "The Office." In the mixed-up world that is Michael's head, he would choose to forever ruin Jim's professional chances to  move up than to lose him to another branch or another company.

Oh Michael, you nightmare every-manager. Only in TV land could what he did be undone so neatly, with Jim getting the branch manager promotion with some unenviable strings attached. Extreme example of self-motivated management, for sure, but extreme is what "The Office" does so well. And yet, isn't there a glimmer of a manager-moment past or present for all of us in that scene in which Michael tells David Wallace that Jim is not up to the task of running the place? (Even though Jim has recommended a promotion for Michael to make way for his own jump up the organizational chart.)

Michael: "Jim is like Big Bird.  He is tall and yellow and very nice. But would I put him in charge? No. I don't think so. Big Bird doesn't make the tough decisions."

Jim: "I tried to keep Michael in the dark. I should have known he can do just as much damage in the dark."

Ring any sad, sad bells?
Syndication:

From the Community…

Comments 1-3 of 3
  • yaya's Avatar
    Posted by yaya Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:48am PDT

    I remember at my first job I got an offer that paid me 15 dollars an hour more than the job I had at the time. I discussed it with my boss and she insisted I stay and that she would pay me the equivalent 'as soon as she could'. Well that never happened. And not taking the offer has probably been one of the biggest regrets of my life.

    I should have known she was not going to have my best interest at heart, all she cared about was herself and the fact that she wouldnt be able to find another employee like me. I eventually left that job.

    Report Abuse
  • tbone64's Avatar
    Posted by tbone64 Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:53am PDT

    Wow!!!! Deja vu for me. The boss at my job keeps stuff stirred up between us. I didn't know that there were bosses who actually want drama in the workplace. The funny thing is, he gets upset when things happen and we don't get along.

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  • Sophie'sMom's Avatar
    Posted by Sophie'sMom Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:29am PDT

    Jim suffered a common workplace problem. He was so good, the boss couldn't afford to lose or share him. But Michael's methods were surprisingly evil, even for him.

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Comments 1-3 of 3

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