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DirectorBooks: Why did you write thisbook?Frank Adoranti: Because I grew tired ofwriting boring books.

I wanted to show the world (especially mykids) that a lawyer could be capable ofdisplaying (even a momentary flash of)humour. Although, Ill probably be disbarredfrom the profession for my temerity andinsolence.DB: What is your background?FA: Grew up, went to school, went to uniand got a job. Then as my wants grew, I got awife and had kids, got a mortgage and lots ofdebt. Subsequently, I decided to make a small

fortune by writing booksthe difficulty withthat strategy was my failure to realise that Ineeded a large fortune to begin with!

But seriouslyIm a corporate lawyer byprofession and have an MBA. I have spenttime within the corporate world and thenconsulting to it (from the outside looking in)in a number of countries. I have witnessed,from close range, the world of corporatepolitics and have seen my fair share of peoplegetting ahead on anything but merit.DB: Given the style of the book and the fact

that you first used a pseudonym, were youunnerved when you were outed?FA: Some expressed their concern that itmight have had an adverse effect on the seriesof professional books I have written. Youdont want your clients thinking that yourethat sort of person!

I think it will be apparent, within the firstfew pages of the book that I was simplyhaving a bit of fun in cutting-loose withsomething a little more amusing thanCommercial Contracts for Managers.

From the feedback I have had so far, manydescribe the fun they have had in matchingsome of the sections in the book to thosecorporate politicians in their own workplace.

In England, of course, it didnt really

matter as much since this book was publishedthere before my professional books werepublished. So the reaction in England is quitelikely to be the opposite: how could you

come up with something so boring afterwriting this?DB: In the book you create a table ofbuzzwords. Given that lawyers are notrenowned for their plain English how did youbecome a champion of plain English?FA: I didntI became a champion ofbuzzwords.

As a lawyer, the natural tendency is to sayin 100 words what could be said in five words-this is especially so when one can be paid by

the word. Why keep things simple and stop ata simple yes or no? That approach lacksimagination and does not permit you to putyour personal stamp on things.

Actually, plain English is very hard to do.It takes a lot more time and effort to write inplain English, because it is not our naturaltendency. The English language is amazing inits versatility. We all seem to be trying ourbest to twist it to its limits and reach newheights of convolution (or should that beconvolutedness? See what I mean?)

DB: Is Don Watson ofDeath Sentence fameyour hero?FA: Dons a great writer. His book DeathSentence, about the appalling state ofAustralias public language is to the buzzwordindustry what Afferbeck Lauders Strine was tothe Orstralian language. However, I dont findthe delineation as clear-cut: where thevandalism of the language ends and where theevolution of a new word or expression begins.I also liked his Keating biography, whichstands out as an interesting historicalsnapshot of the time, regardless of yourpolitical leanings.

With all due respect to Don though, Iwouldnt say hes my herosuch a role modelfor me is grounded more closely to home. To

me, my father is my hero.In the fictional world, my hero is Sir

Humphrey Appleby (played brilliantly byNigel Hawthorne) from the Yes Minister series.DB: We all know that old adage too manychiefs and not enough indians. Arent youworried that you are giving away too many

secrets?FA: Referring to an even older adage: I mayhave taught you everything you know, but noteverything that I know.

The next book will be essential to takethe conniving and chicanery learned fromthis book to a higher plateau of corporategreed. I imagine that Sir Humphrey Applebymight be horrified with the books level ofdetail-that it might have lifted the lid on afew too many trade secrets for his liking.DB: One of your aspirations is to become

editor of Mad Magazine, but your work hasbeen described as Dilbert in words. Arentthese both diametrically opposed?FA: I think that managers could learn a lotfrom Dilbert and from Mad Magazine. Bothshare the common trait of being highlyunderrated management training guides.Judging by the performance of some companyexecutives, you would swear that their onlysource of management information andlearning was Mad Magazine.DB: You are planning a sequel for CEOs,those aspirants who have made the gradeaccording to your guidelines, called Pillage,Plunder and Exploit. Do you have any specificrole models in mind?FA: It is always the least worthy of any groupthat provides the best fodder for humour.There are examples in the headlines of thosewho provide us with a glimpse into the annalsof corporate incompetence and thesquandering of public moneythe way theylavish perks, bonuses and benefits upon

themselves is a joy to behold. All the while,the poor old shareholder is the one who getsstiffed. Great work if you can get it!

I have heard it said that executivevoraciousness is dwindling with the advent ofa new corporate cleanliness. The cynic inme tells me that the naughty ones are justworking harder and smarter to develop betterways of concealing their monkey business.DB: Some of the words of wisdom from thebookinformation is powerdid you findinspiration in the writings of Francis Bacon

(aka Shakespeare)?FA: I found a lot of inspiration from eatingbacon-I just love cooked breakfasts!

Seriously, one has to get into the darkerworld of the likes of Macchiavelli, or, in the

THE LAST WORD

How to Lie, Cheat& Steal Your Wayto The Top

An interview with authorFrank Adoranti

7/28/2019 Director Books NOV 05 Interview

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modern day, writers such as Michael Korda,who wrote an interesting book on thedynamics of power. Also, more recently, manywill have read the 48 Laws of Power byRobert Greenea fun read, but not reallypractical. I find that I get inspired by thewritings of Senecamuch of what is written

is surprisingly timeless. This demonstrates thathuman nature is pretty much what it alwayswas-however, in the information age, it is alljust so much more visible.DB: In the book you give some good tips forCEOs employing their 2ICwould you liketo elaborate?FA: Ive seen some dynamite 2ICs in mytime, and some real ordinary ones. Theordinary ones were real ordinary-if you pickedup on much of the corporate water coolergossip, it was not a long stretch to form the

view that the bad ones were just talentlessgrovellers, hanging grimly onto the coattailsof their sugar daddies. Again, its the worstof human nature at workwhy work hardand demonstrate some real merit and ability,when you can do it the easy way by suckingup?

For the corporate go-getter, the 2IC spotis merely a stepping stone to greater things.They use their time in the spot productivelyand produce great results. For those others, itis a career. They take out their deep-seatedanger and frustration on those below them byexercising their power to control stationerysupplies and the like.DB: How many of these tips worked for you?FA: While it is all written in fun and jest,many will notice there is a seriousundercurrent to it.

Isnt it a terrible indictment on some areasof the corporate world that it could evenfaintly resemble the exaggerated, unethical,and downright dishonest behaviours described

in the book?Many wonder whether we are yet past thegreed is good era.

I dont think so.In a number of cases, the corporate duty

to the shareholder is allowed to override anysemblance of good corporate citizenship orremotely compassionate behaviour. We justfeel better about it all now because we haveelaborate mission statements and codes ofconduct saying that everyone cares. As afamous philosopher once said: Talk is cheap.

I have consulted to companies wheresenior executives have said to me, I know wehave that mission statement and companyvalues stuff, but we really want it to meansomething-tell us where we fall short. It israre to see such a level of self-critical candour

at the upper levels of management. In thesecases, management genuinely wanted thecorporate PR statements to actually meansomething, but appreciated that they fell shortof the goal. They were interested enough towant to make meaningful strides towards thatideal.

DB: Why should people wanting to climb thecorporate ladder take this advice?FA: Because if they dont they will betrampled by the oncoming rush of those whodo.DB: Does it apply to women also?FA: Women are now part of the corporategame more than they ever have been. But Ithink it would be nave to think there wastotal equality across the board.

Having said that, I have witnessed a fewwomen make it to the highest levels. But for

every one who does, I am certain there are alarge number who should have made it, butdidnt. Generally, I think it is because theyhave chosen not to participate in the politicalBS that sometimes goes on. For that choice,while they may limit their careers, theyprobably end up with a more rewarding lifeoverall. The reason for this is that they seekout other things to give them fulfilment and abalance that not many men are able toachieve.DB: What advice do you have for womenwhen they cannot network because of genderbarriers (such as the golf course, the menstoilet, lap-dancing clubs and so on)?FA: Stick-on beards and moustaches are onlyto be used as a last resort.

The corporate world is (and I think willcontinue to be) a largely blokey domain,with its machismo and hairy-chested bravado.That is not to say that it is an exclusivelyclosed shop. But there arent too many CarlyFiorinas in the world heading major

multinational corporations. Having said that,I dont think her downfall was necessarilysolely a gender thing, I think it was more theresult of a misalignment of strategies.

The only advice to get ahead and breakthrough the barriers is to demonstratemerit...demonstrate merit...demonstrate merit-until you can kick the door in and be noticed.The attitudes to women in the corporateworld are certainly changing, but it is more ofan evolutionary change, rather than arevolutionary one. Strictly speaking, thats not

really good enough, but it is certainly a (slow)step in the right direction.

Sadly, to be noticed, women often have towork harder and produce far better resultsthan the comparative male-this then producesthe negative side effect of the male of the

species feeling threatened and needing to flexsome muscle to prove his true superiority.DB: What happens if someone fails therevision quiz at the back of the book?FA: They will obviously have to start fromscratch-with a fresh copy of the book, ofcourse.

It has been proven in independentclinical trials that the book is far moreeffective when one works with a freshlypurchased, unread copy.DB: Thank you for taking the time from yourbusy schedule to talk with us.FA: Busy? Yes, the queue I am in here atCentrelink has been quite long today...

LAST WORD

The man who canmake others laughsecures morevotes for a

measure than theman who forcesthem to think.MALCOLM DE CHAZAL (1902-1981)

How to Lie, Cheat& Steal Your Wayto The TopAn

interview with authorFrank Adoranti

AICD $23.75 rrp $27.95

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