An Office Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge, CEO of Scrooge Enterprises, isn’t just a bad boss - he’s the gold-standard for terrible leadership, ticking almost every persona of the bad bosses we outline in our book. Under his oppressive rule, his employees suffer and his business falters, plagued by plummeting morale, disengagement, and declining productivity. Even on New Year’s Eve, as warmth and cheer buzzed through the office halls, Scrooge was busy berating poor Bob Cratchit for daring to submit a report that was merely ‘acceptable.’

“Holiday spirit is a waste of company time!” Scrooge barked, slamming his desk. “Bah, humbug!”

But that night, as Scrooge slept, he was roused by Jacob Marley, his long-deceased business partner. Marley, weighed down by chains forged from years of poor leadership, warns Scrooge that he is doomed to share the same fate unless he changes. He tells of the arrival of three Ghosts: the Ghost of Office Past, the Ghost of Office Present, and the Ghost of Office Future, who will guide Scrooge through the perils of bad boss personas, of the 3 A’s of being a great boss, and teach him the power of the 14 building blocks of great leadership.

Act I: The ??Ghost of Office Past

The first visitor is the Ghost of Office Past, a figure clad in outdated business attire, complete with shoulder pads and a calculator watch. He beckons Scrooge to journey back to his early management days, where his rookie mistakes come back to haunt him.

First, Scrooge sees himself as the Avoider, dodging his team’s questions and sidestepping their needs. His employees flounder like lost travelers without a map, unsure where to turn while Scrooge buries himself in busywork.

The scene next shifts to a vibrant brainstorming session, where a young, enthusiastic Bob Cratchit pitches bold ideas. But here, Scrooge appears as the Ignorer, shrugging off Cratchit’s creativity with a dismissive wave. The excitement in the room evaporates as fast as a spilled cup of coffee.

The Ghost next unveils Scrooge as a Hoarder. Here, he locks away critical information in his metaphorical vault, leading to a catastrophic product launch that leaves the team scrambling and clients fuming.

And finally, the Ghost unveils Scrooge in full Blocker mode. Instead of helping his people learn and grow, Scrooge throws up hurdles left and right, afraid that if they succeed too much, they might steal his thunder - or worse, his job! “Can’t have them outshining me,” young Scrooge mutters. The Ghost shakes its head, saying, “Leadership isn’t about dimming others’ lights to make yours seem brighter, Scrooge. It’s about lighting the way for everyone.”

As the memories unfold like a cringe-worthy highlight reel, Scrooge starts to see the wreckage left in his wake - broken trust, plummeting morale, and missed opportunities. Each scene hits like a ghostly slap on the wrist, and for the first time, Scrooge gets it. His past mistakes light up like neon signs, flashing the message: “You’ve got work to do!”

And with it, a spark of realization - Scrooge is gaining Awareness, the crucial first of the 3 A’s of being a great boss.?

Act II: The? ??Ghost of Office Present

The Ghost of Office Present next appears, dragging Scrooge through a whirlwind of his worst workplace moments. First stop? The Unappreciater, with Scrooge watching himself brush off Cratchit’s hard work like yesterday’s social media post, offering no praise, no recognition, just a deafening silence that screams, "Your efforts don’t matter."

Next, the Ghost transports him to a tense boardroom scene, where Scrooge is in full Micromanager mode. He’s telling his team what? they need to do step-by-step, nitpicking every detail, while his team sits slumped in their chairs, their energy and enthusiasm drained. It’s a masterclass in moral destruction, and Scrooge is the unwitting star.

But the final act packs the biggest punch, and it’s a painful one. Enter the Coercer, Scrooge’s most intimidating form yet. Here, he’s wielding his authority like a blunt instrument, using fear and bullying tactics to keep his team in line. With every stern glare and booming command, his people shrink further into their chairs, their creativity and confidence crumbling under the weight of his oppressive leadership. “Power, Scrooge,” says the Ghost, “is meant to lift people up, not knock them down. Intimidation might get results, but it leaves a trail of broken trust behind.” Scrooge, shaken and ashamed, again sees the error of his ways.?

With every flashback, Scrooge finds himself inching closer to Acceptance, the second of the 3 A’s. It’s not easy to admit he’s been wrong, but he knows real change starts here.

Act III: The? ??Ghost of Office Future

And finally, the Ghost of Office Future appears, a towering, shadowy figure that sends shivers down Scrooge’s spine. Without a word, it whisks him to a chilling scene: the once-thriving Scrooge Enterprises lies in ruins. Empty desks stretch as far as the eye can see, the talent pool drained in a mass exodus. The few remaining employees drift through the halls like shadows, their enthusiasm as stale as the snacks in the vending machine.

Over in the corner, Scrooge spots his farewell party - more funeral than festivity. The guest list? A party of one, loyal Cratchit raising a solo toast with a half-empty cup of lukewarm tea. And on a dusty wall hangs a somber plaque: “In memory of Scrooge’s leadership – a cautionary tale.”

Panicked, Scrooge drops to his knees. “Please, Ghost, tell me this future can be changed!” he pleads. The Ghost turns and points, revealing a brighter path.?

Scrooge sees a transformed Scrooge Enterprises - a vibrant, buzzing workplace where smiles and high-fives replace fear and dread. He’s no longer the villain of the story but the hero, a leader who’s taken bold Action - the third and final A of being a great boss. And with this, the plaque now reads: “Scrooge Enterprises – Built on the 14 Great Building Blocks of Leadership.”

Redemption: Scrooge’s Transformation

On New Year’s morning, a reformed Scrooge wakes with a twinkle in his eye and a spring in his step. Gone is the grumpy and miserable boss, in his place stands a man brimming with gratitude and purpose, ready to step up and be a great boss. He writes heartfelt, personalized thank-you notes to each of his employees. And when they return to the office, he publicly applauds Bob Cratchit’s dedication, and even announces an exciting new Coaching and Development initiative, designed to help everyone thrive.

But that’s not all - Scrooge stands up in front of everyone and admits his past missteps with remarkable vulnerability, inviting honest feedback from each and every one of them. The result? A completely different workplace and culture. Glasses are raised, toasts are made, and admiration for their transformed leader beams from every face. Watching his team celebrate together, Scrooge feels something truly magical - joy, hope and pride. With a contented smile, he raises his glass and toasts, “Happy New Year to all, and to all a great boss!”

Written by Ken and Debra Corey - December 2024