The Dilbert Principle (Scott Adams)

Most business books discuss the ideal.  They talk about challenges as well, but in the end, it's all happiness and puppies.  "Do this, and success awaits you!"  "Do that, and watch profits soar!"  They have their value, those business books, but so does a brutally honest look at the workplace.  Such is The Dilbert Principle by Scott Adams.

Adams (who, of course, pens the Dilbert cartoon strip), in his opening remarks, proclaims the following:

"Everyone is an idiot, not just the people with low SAT scores.  The only differences among us is that we're idiots about different things at different times.  No matter how smart you are, you spend much of your day being an idiot."

"I find great humor in the fact that we ever take ourselves seriously.  We rarely recognize our own idiocies, yet we can clearly identify the idiocies of others.  That's the central tension of business:
We expect others to act rationally even though we are irrational."

It's meant to be funny, but it's also 100% correct- and that's why I enjoyed this book so much.  It's funny because it's true.  It's all true.  We're not in an ideal world where everyone works hard, is honest and fair, and puts others before themselves.  We're irrational, self-centered, and led by the same- so who wouldn't expect absolute chaos (or endless amusement) in the workplace?  It doesn't matter where you work- you will encounter the foolish at every turn- even within yourself. 

The Dilbert Principle is a tongue-in-cheek look at that foolishness.  It talks about what really happens in the workplace, and even suggests tips for advancement in light of it- puffing up your accomplishments, take credit for what others do, etc.  The book covers ridiculous performance reviews, inane marketing, meaningless vision statements, pointless meetings, co-workers, painful downsizing- need I go on?  It covers so many aspects of the business world, and adds a liberal sprinkling of Dilbert comics throughout.  Interestingly, Adams ends on a serious note, with a chapter describing rules he'd make if he ran a company- and they're not half bad.  But, the majority of this work is meant to be enjoyed as a humorous, honest look at what really goes on- and it succeeds.

I'll end with a few quotes that I really enjoyed (there were many candidates):

"A good way for ineffective people to cling to power in an organization is by creating a monopoly on information. . . with the right mixture of attitude and complete psychopathic behavior you can withhold just about anything."

"Speak loudly and act irrationally.  Co-workers and even bosses will bend to your will if you use this method consistently. . . Send a clear signal that you cannot be swayed by reason and that you'll never stop being loud and obnoxious until you get your way.  This method is effective because the law prevents people from killing you and there's no other practical way to make you stop."


"Engineers are always delighted to share wisdom, even in areas in which they have no experience whatsoever."

"I don't mean . . . to imply that leadership is the same as a con job.  The differences are substantial, in the sense that leadership pays much more and doesn't require quick wits."

"The most important skill for any leaders is the ability to take credit for things that happen on their own."

Rating: A