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Pawns, Patrons, and Patsies
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curring are even greater in organizations undergoing chaotic change,
as business fortunes can rise and fall almost overnight, providing the
necessary rationale for reorganization. We will discuss this more fully
in chapter 7.
Power Freaks
In his engaging 2002 book, Power Freaks: Dealing with Them
in the Workplace or Anyplace, researcher and writer, David
Weiner, describes the many ways in which some bosses and
coworkers can make a life living hell for those around them.
Drawing on his own experiences as the founder and CEO of a major
marketing firm, Weiner expertly illustrates the many varieties
of power-hungry individuals found in the workplace, and the techniques
they use to dominate and control those unfortunate
enough to work with them. One of the most devastating types of
power freak is the subject of Snakes in Suits.
The psychopathic drama continues to unfold as high-power and
high-status individuals, the patrons, who protect the psychopath
from doubts and accusations of other organization members, and
who facilitate fast promotions, advanced assignments, and job rotations,
find themselves betrayed. Sadly, the patron becomes a patsy,
losing organizational status and often his or her job to the psychopath,
who has been lobbying for the promotion all along.