I posted another variation of this drawing a couple years back, but the text and the drawing on this one is one is much better. And unfortunately, as I have written about multiple times (see here and here), there is plenty of evidence that people at the top of pecking order are prone to shit on those at the bottom -- and to be unaware of their insensitive moves. But the good news -- as I show in Good Boss, Bad Boss -- is there are plenty of people at the top of the pecking order who find ways to overcome this tendency to shit on their underlings.
P.S. Leon, thanks for sending this!
P.P.S. You owe to yourself to go to Bruce Lynn's comment below and to click on the url, it is a thing of beauty.
I always tell the people who work for me the same thing:
My job is to hold the umbrella so the shit from above doesn't hit you.
Your job is to keep me from having to use it.
Posted by: Gschaadt | June 10, 2010 at 12:22 PM
My favourite corporate hierarchy illustration is from Gapingvoid with very similar outlook at the heart - http://www.gapingvoidgallery.com/product_info.php?products_id=1592&osCsid=pgg05omkup1p33umnsfr2tt8q3
Posted by: Bruce Lynn | May 28, 2010 at 08:53 PM
Where have you been all of my (work) life??? I can hardly wait to read your stuff...when I get home and back on Firefox.
Wow.
Books too.
I too am speechless.
I look forward to many more conversations...
Posted by: Elisabeth | May 28, 2010 at 10:33 AM
I have heard a related dynamic described by the following riddle:
Q: "Why are organizations like a tree full of monkeys?"
A: "Because from the top looking down all you see are smiling faces, and from the bottom looking up all you see are assholes."
Posted by: chrisf | May 28, 2010 at 09:35 AM
I am speechless.
Posted by: Laura Schroeder | May 28, 2010 at 08:39 AM