Power Dynamics Thinker Gifts

Pearly Gates Queue

'I hope you're not threatened by powerful women, because you're fired.'

"Can I savor this for a few moments? The ball's never been in my court before!"

"I was just going to say, 'Well, I don't make the rules.' But, of course, I do make the rules."

'Manager. . . Commander. . . Chieftain. . . King!'

'The lads at the office still talk about the day you told the boss what to do with his job...'

Oligarchy

"But can't I be feared and loved?"

'The portrait is a mark of his extreme egotism, but, if you curtsy and bow sufficiently...say, 'Oh Yes Sir!'!, to everything he says, you should do OK'

'Will you kindly remind the rest of the staff that I'm the managing director - not the Godfather!'

"Based on the feedback from advisers whom I haven't beheaded, all of my ideas are great."

"It's Swamp & Swallow - they're making an offer we can't refuse!"

Turkish Democracy

"It looks like the 'because I say so' has it."

Compression

"That's six 'noes' and one 'aye', the ayes have it"

Horse statue throws off rider.

'He doesn't like people walking in - try crawling.'

Nails pinning down the hammer that usually strikes them.

'I delegate, then I follow up.'

Big Shot/Bigger Shot.

The Gladiator.

"But I won't bore you with the all too familiar story of a dictator's rise to absolute power,"

"O.K., if you put it that way."

"I may be incompetent. But, if you fire me there'll be no one who knows less about this company than you."

'We used to be a patriarchy, but lately we've been more goddess-centric.'

'As chairman, that's my opinion. I propose we table any motion to further discuss this matter. All those in favor say 'aye'. All those opposed say 'bye'.'

'Jones, I don't like you because it's so hard to find something to blame you for!'

'I've never had to butter up the boss. I've always been the boss.'

Desk sign: 'Brown-nose'.

'I have power - but it's not the kind that's easy to abuse.'

'We're a democracy here, as long as everyone votes in favour of what I want!'

"I see you as a little bee, Kutner. Buzz, buzz, buzz, go make some honey."

"This is Mr Johnson, the man who works under me."

"I make it a point to hire people smarter than me."