Morrie the Toupee Salesman

I’m reading “Moneyball” – in the grand pantheon of bubblegum management books, it sort of stands out a bit, in that it seems to be about the intersection of science and management (with some sports thrown in). Boy, does this quote ring true to me (obviously not about baseball):

“Anyone who wanders into Major League Baseball can’t help but notice the stark contrast between the field of play and the uneasy space just off it, where the executives and scouts make their livings. The game itself is a ruthless competition. Unless you’re very good, you don’t survive in it. But in the space just off the field of play there is no level of incompetence that won’t be tolerated. There are many reasons for this, but the big one is that baseball has structured itself as a social club.”

Welcome to management.