A test

- After talking to the asshole, does the target feel oppressed, 
humiliated, de-energized or belittled? In particular, does he feel worse 
about himself?

- Does the asshole aim at people who are less powerful rather than more 
powerful?

The difference between how a person treats the powerless vs the powerful 
is a great measure of character.



They sap people of their energy and esteem through accumulated effects 
of small acts, not through a couple of dramatic episodes.

*Negative interactions have a 5x stronger effect on mood than positive 
ones. So you need 5 positive ones to outbalance 1 negative one.

*25% are victims and 50% are witnesses in past 5 years
*25% of victims and 20% of witnesses quit their jobs
	-> 5% + 10% = 15% loss
	-> in a 250-person project (Gentoo), that's almost 40 people.

Per-year might be 15% bullying rate

TCA = Total Cost of Assholes
- Victims/Witnesses
	- Distraction from tasks
	- Fewer suggestions, less learning from failures, less honesty
	- Loss of motivation & energy
	- Turnover in response to abuse
- Assholes
	- Hesitation of others to help assholes
	- Retaliation to assholes
	- Failure to reach potential
	- Humiliation, job loss
- Management
	- Time spent counseling & disciplining assholes
	- Time spent dealing with victimized employees
	- " " users, vendors, etc
	- Time spent finding replacements
	- Burnout
- Effects on organizations
	- Reduced innovation & creativity
	- Reduced cooperation & cohesion
	- Reduced "discretionary" effort
	- Dysfunctional internal cooperation
	- Impaired ability to attract the best & brightest

Assholes group together and hire more. Keep them away from any hiring power!!