The Cranky Middle Manager Show #316 The Final Cranky Show and the Future of Work with John Blackwell
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #217 Stanley Bing
Posted on 30. Nov, 2009 by Wayne in General, Podcast
Today Cranky Middle Manager Wayne Turmel meets one of his idols, Fortune Columnist Stanley Bing. We plug his new book, “How to Relax Without Getting the Axe”. We also salute Roman slaves the SEC should hire and get inspiration from Lord Byron.
Today we talk to the Mysterious Mr Stanley Bing
If you like to laugh at business people, check out my book ” 125 Quotes for Whacking Weasels, Centuries of Wisdom, Motivation and Snappy Comebacks from the Cranky Middle Manager Show” 
Show Notes
0:00 Welcome to the show. Today we celebrate Gnaeus Pompey Magnus- Pompey the Great. Well actually we’d like to celebrate the slave who whispered in his ear but of course we have no idea who that really was. Using humor to aerate the egos of the great is nothing new but today’s guest does it better than most.
3:15 The quote of the week is from Lord Byron- if you’re talking about fools, satire is the best weapon to use and that’s what today’s show is about.
5:27 Welcome Stanley Bing to the show. We’re off to a good start despite my blaming him for inspiring this show. His book is all about learning to take it a little easier than we do, and for inspiration look to our bosses. They’re not lazy, they just manage to relax and actually have some fun. Let’s start with having breakfast. You do remember breakfast, right?
10:00 There’s no honor in taking all the bullets and taking on everyone’s burdens. Steven King is a great example of short bursts of productivity and lots of downtime. Oh, and the Protestant Work Ethic is overrated (and slightly racist).
13:30 Delegation is vital, if a bit complicated. Don’t underestimate flattery as a tool. Also, other people’s assistants make great helpers.
17:40 Employee engagement is all well and good, but Bing believes you should be only as engaged as you need to be at that moment. We also do a slight riff on HR and Quality.
21:40 We often complain about crazy bosses… but maybe they’re bosses because they’re crazy. The qualities of dementia necessary to run anything are extreme. Take a tip from them…rope off mealtimes as zones of defensible entitlement.
Check out Stanley Bing’s Resources
I love Stanley Bing. I love CMM.
Keep up the good work!
Greg, good to hear from you. Thanks for the comments, i’m a big fan of Bing’s work and I know you folks at http://www.madgringo.com have no use for the serious side of work- not surprised you dig his stuff but really glad you listen to us too! Take it easy….