World's Worst Boss

Business 2.0 is featuring a story on the BBC comedy "The Office," called "How to Be the World's Worst Boss."

Show creator (and David Brent actor) Ricky Gervais answers some questions about management:

What makes Brent such a horrible manager?

He's not a bad bloke. He's just confused popularity with respect. And they're not related. He wants everyone to say, "You are the best boss and my best mate." But he's just hoping it's true. Life's not going the way he hoped. If he would just sit down and say, "You know, I'm fed up," people would like him more. But he can't admit things are going badly.

OK, then, if playing practical jokes on subordinates and lying to headquarters won't make me a brilliant leader, what will?

I've thought about that a lot, and I think it's fairness. Brent spouts off about being "task orientated" or a "people person," but he doesn't really know what those ideas mean. If you're fair, people might not like you. But they can't hold anything against you.

I love the show (my wife can't stand it), but sometimes I just cringe at some of the antics of Brent. For me, it's because some of it strikes a little too close to home. I guess that's the brilliance of good comedy: its relevance.

BBC America, Thursdays at 10PM. I get it on Dish Network.

Comments

[Adam]

The office is great.

Did you guys get to see the Xmas specials?

My favourite episode is the one where he does keith's performance appraisal

"For your biggest weakness, you put 'Asthma'?"

I have both series on DVD and have watched them loads.

[Johnnie Moore (London)]

Yes, The Office is awesome. And like you, I cringe watching it because it's painfully well-observed. I think it's now being licensed for corporate training and I can see why. Watch this and talk about how it reflects life in your office!