The Gervais Principle, or the Office According to "The Office"

(2009)

Previous discussions: https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que...

See the Scott Alexander review:

https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/book-review-the-gervais-pri...

The MacLeod Life Cycle reminds me on the 5 seasons of the illuminati calendar:

Verwirrung Season of Chaos January 1-March 14

Zweitracht Season of Discord March 15-May 26

Unordnung Season of Confusion May 27-August 7

Beamtenherrschaft Season of Bureaucracy August 8-October 19

Grummet Season of Aftermath October 20-December 31

From the book Illuminatus!

This is interesting enough, I’d buy a book about this (audiobook at least).

I’ve tried to limit myself to only the best and most practical books about leadership that didn’t start corporate speak, and I doubt Gervais Principle would be quoted or used in work conversation, so it’s perfect.

Focusing only on the second and top layer of the diagram, I usually call them “the increments and the excrements”.

Anyone else can't scroll on this site?

That was a fun read, and it might even explain why a lot of Gen-z is opting out of any sort of career building, wanting values instead (or next to) a paycheck. They saw their parents do The Office in real life.

Interesting is also that Michael does make a really good arc from season one to when he leaves. He remains clueless, or rather he it dawns on him he does not want to become like Ryan or David (the articles sociopath). Like he says in a later season “Business is about people.”