Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace by Gordon MacKenzie

Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace is a book written by Gordon MacKenzie and published in the year 1996. It is based on the idea that each and every one of us must find our own unique route to creativity, humor, and grace in order to survive and thrive in a modern corporate environment.

The book opens with a description of a “huge, tangled ball of restrictions, regulations, and rules” which MacKenzie calls “the giant hairball”. This is the obstacle that each of us must overcome if we are to find our individual creativity and grace while working in a corporate structure. He explains that the more we cling to the giant hairball, the more we are overrun by it, and the more stuck in our traditional corporate roles we become. MacKenzie proposes the idea of “orbiting” the giant hairball in order to allow for creativity and personal expression.

MacKenzie then outlines a seven-step approach for orbiting the giant hairball, which is meant to help the individual gain a sense of freedom, independence, and creativity within the corporate context. This includes unlocking one’s own potential, being willing to take risks, and seeking out teachers and mentors who can provide guidance and support. MacKenzie also encourages the reader to continually reassess their circumstances and make adjustments as needed.

In addition to his seven-step plan, MacKenzie delves into the importance of creating a“creative equity”, through which individuals can reap the rewards of their independent creativity without compromising the organization. He encourages individuals to think about their work, their passions, and the world at large in order to identify opportunities for creating this creative equity, which will help to sustain them and their independence.

The book also offers insight into the importance of creating a supportive workspace environment and understanding the pressures facing the corporate world. Through anecdotes and stories, MacKenzie illustrates how creativity can be nurtured in an office full of cubicles and deadlines, while also highlighting the need to be aware of the corporate environment and to act within its rules when necessary.

Finally, MacKenzie offers many warnings and precautions to help individuals stay safe within these corporate structures. While encouraging independence and creativity, he also stresses the importance of taming one’s ego and avoiding playing office politics or becoming absorbed in a self-identity that is solely based on one’s job title.

Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace is a powerful message of hope and inspiration to those who feel stuck within the corporate machine. Through personal stories, anecdotes, and steps for overcoming the giant hairball, MacKenzie provides readers with the skills and knowledge necessary for navigating corporate life and emerging unscathed, with their creative spirits intact.