We’ve Got Some New Bad Boss Acronyms

Ever heard of any of these?

I was familiar with the concept of a “HIPPO,” I.e. “highest-paid person’s opinion,” and in fact had a job in 2015 where a lady would regularly tell me, “It’s all about pleasing the hippo.” That’s a weird visual, no? Indeed. I like me some acronyms and some bad boss discussions, so I came across this post from a LinkedIn Lunatic and just want to throw a few new ones into the ether:

1. HiPPO — Highest Paid Person’s Opinion

2. ZEBRA — Zero Evidence But Really Arrogant

3. WOLF — Working On the Latest Fire

4. RHINO — Really Here In Name Only

5. SEAGULL — Senior Executive that Always Glides in, Unloads and Leaves Loudly

6. DODO — Dangerously OutDated Opinions

7. ViPER — Vindictive Person Endangering Results

8. MOUSE — Muddled Opinions, Usually Swayed Easily

9. PARROT — Pretty Annoying and Ridiculously Repeating OThers

10. DONKEY — Data Only, No Knowledge, Expertise or whY

Personally, I like (3) above, as most bosses as just that: not strategic, not even operational, but constantly working on the latest fire. I also like (7), because the VIPER is true in many organizations — someone who feels bitter or small about their place in the world or back at home, and brings that energy into everything work-related. I am personally sure I’ve also been the VIPER at some jobs, but I’m usually execution-level and not managerial-level, so it’s a bit different.

Ever heard of any of these?