Skip to main content

Polysterene Brown Management Theory

This theory covers the principle that you have some people who are incompetent but get promoted anyway due to arrogance, self-belief and ignorance of their own capabilities and limitations. Their self-belief comes across as confidence and skill during short interview exposure where real skills are not challenged or tested thoroughly. Ultimately they become a manager. They try to exert control over all future situations, despite a lack of informed knowledge.

These employees float up to the top of an organisation, repeating the same process. and this is why there is a layer of shit often floating at the top, underneath which capable employees become exhausted and disgruntled.

This in essence is the Polystyrene Brown Management Theory.

It gains its name from some simple principles. If placed in water, Polestyrene will float to the top, pushing everything out of its way to get there, where it refuses to sink, is bad for the environment and is generally just shit. Inhibiting the necessary light needed for employee growth underneath where they are left in a less oxygen-rich environment, unable to get the necessary straws to aid breathing, due to the budget cuts imposed by said Polystyrene Brown Management.

The environment that the employee is left to work in starts to turn brown, and everywhere they look they feel they are surrounded by shit.
Polysterene Brown Management Theory

"I have been working in this company for 23 years, and we don't need to change or adapt to any of these dumbfounding IT security principles or ideas you have, if you don't like it then leave!!!!" - said David.

"Well David, that's some "Polysternene Brown Management Theory" bullshit right there you useless bag of limp dicks" - replied Kevin.
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.
More from Urban Dictionary

briefcake 

"Did you check out the briefcake in courtroom C?"
briefcake by Ben Frey April 6, 2006
Word of the Day on November 3, 2026
Brought to public attention by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the book on the fall of Richard Nixon, All The President’s Men, ratfucker was Nixon’s term for a political operative who sows chaos among opponents; an agent provocateur. It is thought to have originated among campus political rivalries at USC, and seems to have some usage in the US military.
Along with Nixon’s other ratfuckers, Roger Stone caused fights at otherwise peaceful Democratic Party protests to generate a false narrative that the Democrats were violent and dangerous.
Ratfucker by Ricky Ramjet November 2, 2017
Word of the Day on November 2, 2026

countrypolitan 

Term used to describe someone who is a mix of both rural (country) and urban (metropolitan) lifestyles/upbringings. He/she is typically equally comfortable in both settings and is able to seamlessly slip back and forth between the two, appreciating the characteristics of each.
That ol' gal of mine drives the 12 lane freeway during the week and a John Deere on the weekends. She likes opra and the Grand Ol' Opry. I love them countrypolitan women.
countrypolitan by MOChick November 7, 2006
Word of the Day on November 1, 2026

Witch Bath 

A bath consisting of a variety of slats, oils, soaps or any other added ingredients such as fruits, milks, herbs or any other spices for health or beautifying benifits.
She brought home alot of stuff and took it to the bathroom. She must be taking a witch bath.
Witch Bath by carnieboy30 October 26, 2020
Word of the Day on October 31, 2026

kinktober 

An excuse for people to write porn with different types of kinks throughout the month of October.

Smut Fanfiction
That chick doesn't write often but when she does, its for Kinktober.
kinktober by Kinkiest July 12, 2018
Word of the Day on October 30, 2026

proper lad 

a lad that is such a lad that he is a proper lad
person1:did you see bob
person2: ya he was a proper lad
Word of the Day on October 29, 2026
Load more