Everything I need to know about people management I learned from M
A while back I was editing my annual business goals, the benchmark against which I am evaluated at the end of the year. Coincidentally my wife and I and some friends were also watching the latest Bond flick, Quantum of Solace.
Turns out there is a ton of great management advice sprinkled in between the car chases, gun fights, and general tuxedo-style bad-assery. Nearly all of these are said by Judi Dench's icy Q M*.
How to tell someone that they may be laid off
"I need to know that I can trust you."
How to give someone the appearance of a last chance even though in your mind you've already laid them off
"I need to know you're on the team. I need to know you value your career."
How to answer a phone with confidence
"What is it?"
How to delegate
When asked for something have an assistant say on your behalf "Not in the mood."
How to motivate
"Impress me."
How to deal with competitors
Ask "Is he one of ours?" If he is not, say "Then he shouldn't be looking at me."
How to compliment a colleague
"There is something horribly efficient about you."
How to deal with government "regulation"
"I don't give a shit about the CIA."
How to deal with an over-eager assistant
"[I need] nothing, go away."
How to end a conversation
Calmly interject "Quiet," then walk away.
* Update: Wasn't minding my P's and Q's and got M's code name wrong in the original of this post. Sorry, Bond nerds!
Posted on April 22, 2009 to the category called Work .
Comments
Dude, she's "M". The gadget guy is "Q".
You need to pay more attention to what she's teaching you, I think.
Posted by: Brian at April 23, 2009 7:38 PM
Love the last one. I fantasize about that all the time. All. The. Time. How else are people going to learn they really aren't that important to me?
Posted by: Jackie P at April 25, 2009 11:58 AM
Oliv's Russian dance teacher Altin signals the end of class by saying, "Get out".
Posted by: grondo at April 28, 2009 4:42 PM
