The 3 Types of Manager

Mookie Spitz dives into the world of management archetypes with a mix of humor, hard-earned scars, and unfiltered truth. Drawing on his chaotic years running Chicago nightclubs in the 90s—where powder-fueled nights bled into daylight columns for control-alt-delete op-eds—Mookie revisits lessons that still hit hard in the corporate world today.

He breaks down the three types of managers you’ve either worked for, worked with, or—if you’re honest and experienced enough—been yourself:

• The “Mommy Dearest” Manager – the boundary-blurring, staff-coddling queen who rallies the troops with “f*** the man” until the whole house of cards collapses.
• The “Jedi Knight” Manager – cool, calm, and collected... until the lightsaber comes out. One moment they’re your buddy, the next they’re cutting down chaos with ruthless precision.
• The “Agent Smith” Manager – no smiles, no small talk, no compromises. They’re the algorithm of discipline, the cold enforcer of the mainframe. Staff hates them, business loves them.

With sharp anecdotes and barroom war stories, Mookie explains why these archetypes keep repeating, why they matter, and why even the “best” manager might wonder if the grind is worth it. He reflects on his own stint as the Jedi Knight type, trying to balance camaraderie with control, and how that tightrope walk always ends the wrong way.

This episode isn’t just about managers—it’s about the human side of power, the thin line between respect and fear, and the ugly truth that most people hate their bosses (and most bosses hate themselves, and their staff, for it). Whether you’re leading a team, surviving under one, or plotting your escape, this unflinching breakdown will make you laugh, cringe, and think twice about the next face your manager makes when you ask for a favor.

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