[ratww]

This was a very strange workplace. Its atmosphere was half frat-like and half cult-like.

There was literal chest beating and shouting motivational stuff during sales meetings, an incredibly amount of beer (which isn't necessary an issue, but in this case it was), sometimes drugs (which led to some people being fired whenever it became public), lots of sexual harassment complaints (which also led to some surprise firings).

The cult-like part was the CEO fancying himself some Steve Jobs type, doing two-hour long presentations on random topics like his favourite economic ideas, or presenting a treatise against post-modernism. I of course knew which youtube videos he was plagiarising.

It really felt like a Silicon Valley parody when I finally got out.

[Cederfjard]

> The cult-like part was the CEO fancying himself some Steve Jobs type, doing two-hour long presentations on random topics like his favourite economic ideas, or presenting a treatise against post-modernism. I of course knew which youtube videos he was plagiarising.

Amazing. So ”Michael Scott from The Office”-type people really exist out there.

[ratww]

To stay on "The Office" universe, that specific CEO was more of a Robert California.

A bit creepy, intimidating, but still able to impress gullible people. He invited employers he thought were "winners" for diners (although the term the company used was "champions"). Instead of being fascinated by Sesame Street he was fascinated by DC Comics, though. I'm actually surprised at how fitting the comparison is.

All without the James Spader charm, of course.

EDIT: In person, however he was a great guy. I just don't think he behaved in a proper way as CEO.

[throwawayboise]

Oh yes. I can't even watch The Office because it's too real.

[wilsonrocks]

I'm glad you got out!

I find that CEO level bosses (I used to be a teacher so am including heads/principals here) love to pontificate about stuff not related to the job. I've often wondered why. It's sometimes harmless, and clearly,as in your case, sometimes harmful. I do wonder what causes it though.

[mekkkkkk]

You could reverse the statement and say that someone with overly high confidence, an inflated ego and an affinity for preaching is more likely to climb the ladder to C-level. That tracks.

[phist_mcgee]

People who have power over others begin to believe that the positive feedback they get from their employees (simply because they control a person's financial and career success) equates to them being a person of actual interest. They believe the attention means they are smarter, funnier and more charming than they actually are. Tie this to people with narcissistic traits, and you get a strong feedback loop where they never hear dissent, or critique so they fall further into this pattern of behaviour.

[steelframe]

This is part of the reason why I left management. I really do feel that the positive feedback loop was getting to my head.

[scandox]

A profound terror of their own personal insignificance and mortality?

[ratww]

True! I think deep down we all want to be influential. They're just trying to cheat their way into it.