I like to think that these stories, drawn from personal experience, are isolated examples of our very human blind spots, those moments when we cannot see what others can. And if could see ourselves as others see us, we might want to do something different. Or, are these examples of jerky behavior? Jerk may be…
un-glue player
Jerkitude 2*
Sometime ago, the Media Lab at MIT worked on something called the Jerk-O-Meter app. No, it was not something to alert American tourists talking too loudly, or to set off an electric alarm when someone’s smoking a cigar in an elevator . No, too bad, nothing like that. Rather the J-O-M was to listen in…
Šveik, A Lovable Fool
A week ago, a friend invited my wife and me to a Czech pub, Sveiks, Švejk! Ads proclaim the restaurant is inspired by the ‘Good Soldier Šveik’, the not so “simple”, good-humored, hero of the epic novel, The Adventures Of Švejk. That restaurant inspired me to revisit and then revise extensively my 2015 blog…
More than a Game, Really!*
Teamwork rituals from the basketball team to the work team which are discussed below: Sportsmanship, win or lose. Free throws/penalty shots. Subbing out. Circling up. Helping hands, Communication-Talking and Information hoarding. I understand there are readers whose least favorite class was PE (gym) and who cringe at any linking of sports to the workplace. Bear…
The Un-glue Worker: A Pathology
Recently, I blogged that the “Glue Player” (GP) or Glue Guy (GG) is a new management phrase derived from basketball and baseball. The term describes someone in a team “who holds everything together, often without seeking recognition for their efforts.” GPs have other attributes: they “lead from behind.” They let the stars shine while making…
Glue Players, Lovable Clowns, Jerks, Stars, Schmucks, et al.
“Glue Player” (GP) or Glue Guy (GG) is a recent management phrase borrowed from basketball and baseball usage dating back to the late 1970s. The term describes someone in a team “who holds everything together, often without seeking recognition for their efforts.” GPs have other attributes: they “lead from behind.” They let the stars…





