That is, quite frankly, disgusting and pathetic.

Talk about misplaced arrogance. Talk about cluelessness as to what real power is (and how to use it effectively). Talk about trying to compensate for something.

slow news day?

Franklin's clearly had some bad bosses in his time. Touchy dude? Let those feelings out.

Having sat through a few billg & steveb meetings, I would say they are abusive. But it isn't as haphazard as this guy makes it out to be. They lean in once to see if you know what you are talking about. If you can answer a question decently then you are free for the rest of the presentation and they assume you know your stuff. If you falter they assume you are an idiot and tune you out. The questions aren't that hard. And Billg is always listening and paying attention.

Here's a much better article about a Bill Gates review.

Uh, yeah... Mr. Touchy Feely, that's me.

I can be a ruthless son-of-a-bitch when the circumstances require it, and have emphatically proven so on multiple occasions. Ironically, I have proven myself to be far more ruthless, when it counted, than the bad bosses I have plowed through in my time. (Bullies aren't known for their courage.)

As for my visceral reaction, I just happen to think that being an ass for no reason is a sign of pettiness and weakness, not poise and strength. There's a reason Don Corleone always spoke in a reasonable voice. If you have cause to bust heads, then fine, you bust heads. But why get ruffled beforehand? Why act like a jerk?

On the management side of things, the problem with a toxic schtick is that it breeds petty dictators in the lower ranks, loses effectiveness once people come to expect it, and shows a taste for needless cruelty. It's bad strategy and bad taste. Like rubbing the waiter's nose in it or pulling the wings off of flies.

And by the way, "stanklin," you sound like a bit of an apologist. Your portrayal of events is watered down enough to become materially different than the original. I suppose this kind of thing comes down to he said / she said, but, based on Steve Ballmer's visible habits--the guy is just an ass, period--I am more inclined to believe the industrial strength version.

me: "I would say they are abusive"
stubbs: "you sound like a bit of an apologist"

strange comment. if i said something like this to my wife she would not take it as an apology. i can assure you.

i would say the Tomas' link backs up my view.

Billg is just a brat. He never got smacked in the nose for mouthing off when he was a kid! Look it up. Now wonder he is dysfunctional. Gotta go with Franklin on this. And Ballmer, Ballmer, oh my God...

Franklin, you are aware that Don Corleone is a fictitious character, right?

What? Say it ain't so!

If that ruins the analogy for you, then how about Teddy Roosevelt: "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Same concept.

And stanklin, re being an apologist: it's not about saying sorry (check out the dictionary definition). Nor is it uncommon to begin with a mild concession to the other side's point of view (as you did) before taking a defensive posture. One is then later able to refer to the mild concession as evidence of being "reasonable" (as you also did). This is rhetoric 101.

Amusing (if not a tad embarrassing) to see how a discussion on bullying by one person makes two otherwise fine adults to get so aggressive towards each other! And all to no particular end..

franklin stubbs sounds like a bully to me.