shawneese
Pronounced: /shaw-neese/
(n.)
A manager, supervisor, executive, or other leader within a corporate or organizational workplace who combines the controlling behavior of a micromanager with an entitled, nitpicky management style. A shawneese constantly sprays employees with pointless rules, unnecessary criticism, passive-aggressive reminders, and workplace
drama over trivial issues. Often displaying tyrannical tendencies, a shawneese prioritizes appearances, office
politics, control, and personal career advancement over the success, morale, and well-being of the team.
A shawneese does not lead through respect. They manage through control, appearances, and constant correction.
(
v.)
To bombard employees or coworkers with pointless rules, excessive oversight, unnecessary complaints, constant correction, or performative displays of authority. Common forms include shawneesing and shawneesed.
(adj.)
shawneesy:
displaying the controlling, overbearing,
dramatic, or self-important tendencies of a shawneese.
Origin:
A play on the words "
shit" and "
sneeze." The term describes a corporate leader who seems incapable of stopping themselves from "spraying" employees with verbal
garbage, pointless rules, petty criticism, and unnecessary complaints.
Like a
sneeze, the behavior is abrupt, involuntary, and impossible to avoid if you are standing nearby.
Noun:
"Our new shawneese measured the distance between our chairs instead of fixing the staffing shortage."
Verb:
"Quit shawneesing everyone over the coffee
machine and let them
work."
Adjective:
"That mandatory three-page dress code update was incredibly shawneesy."
(Past participle):
"We've been getting shawneesed all week."
The Shawneese Principle:
"Your life is not a factor; a shawneese is trying to climb the corporate ladder, and you are just another chapter."
