Orbiting the Giant Hairball audiobook cover - A Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace

Orbiting the Giant Hairball

A Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace

Gordon MacKenzie

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Categories:
CreativityCorporate CultureManagement & Leadership

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Orbiting the Giant Hairball
Innate Creative Genius+
The Giant Hairball+
Orbiting (Responsible Creativity)+
Escaping Corporate Hypnosis+
The Dance Floor Model+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 5
What does the 'giant hairball' represent in the context of the book?
  • A. The chaotic and unpredictable nature of highly creative individuals.
  • B. The tangled mass of corporate regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • C. The complex interpersonal conflicts that inevitably arise in large organizations.
  • D. The accumulation of failed ideas and discarded projects within a company.
Question 2 of 5
According to the author, why does society actively suppress the natural 'foolishness' and creative genius of individuals?
  • A. Because society fears the unpredictability and rule-breaking nature of these 'fools.'
  • B. Because creative pursuits are rarely profitable in a modern capitalist economy.
  • C. Because true creativity can only be achieved through strict, formal discipline.
  • D. Because society wants to reserve creative roles for a select few talented artists.
Question 3 of 5
What does it mean to 'orbit' the giant hairball?
  • A. Completely ignoring all company rules to maximize pure artistic expression.
  • B. Slowly changing the corporate culture from within by rewriting outdated policies.
  • C. Leaving the corporation entirely to start an independent, creative venture.
  • D. Engaging in responsible creativity by keeping a critical distance while staying loyal to the company.
Question 4 of 5
How does the author suggest employees avoid being 'hypnotized' like chickens by corporate culture?
  • A. By refusing to attend company orientations or learn about the organization's history.
  • B. By holding onto their unique experiences and passions while contributing to company goals.
  • C. By constantly challenging and debating every new rule introduced by upper management.
  • D. By frequently changing departments to avoid getting too comfortable in one specific role.
Question 5 of 5
Why does the author argue that companies should eliminate traditional job descriptions?
  • A. They act as restrictive cages that prevent employees from adapting and collaborating freely.
  • B. They make it too difficult for human resources to calculate fair and equitable compensation.
  • C. They encourage employees to demand promotions and pay raises too frequently.
  • D. They cause chaos and confusion because employees ultimately don't know what is expected of them.

Orbiting the Giant Hairball — Full Chapter Overview

Orbiting the Giant Hairball Summary & Overview

Orbiting the Giant Hairball (1996) is a guide to surviving at a corporation while holding onto your creativity. These blinks explain how to evade the dark, creativity-stifling vortex of corporate bureaucracy by balancing corporate restraints with personal creativity.

Who Should Listen to Orbiting the Giant Hairball?

  • Employees who feel trapped by corporate bureaucracy
  • Anyone reluctant to take a corporate job for fear of compromising their creativity and originality
  • Entry-level employees at major corporations

About the Author: Gordon MacKenzie

Gordon Mackenzie worked at the greeting card company Hallmark for 30 years. Starting out as an artist, his position within the company shifted over the years and he eventually became a kind of company guru with the title Creative Paradox, someone to whom people turned with their ideas.

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