Characterized by project leadership who probably could help you solve your biggest problem, but can’t be convinced that it matters.
Your might have a Tom Bombadil manager if several of the following apply:
- Enters your story briefly, makes a lasting impression but doesn’t accomplish anything before leaving, never to be heard from again.
- Has means to help you that no one else does, but doesn’t seem to understand why your problem is serious, or even the very concept of “problem” or “serious.”
- Will have forgotten about you by this time next week.
- Now you have to trudge halfway across the world and nearly get eaten by a spider while that guy whistles to himself about his boots
The following are not diagnostic criteria, but are frequent co-morbidities:
- No one on your team can figure out how he got there, or where he’s from
- Eternally youthful trophy wife
- Shows off his snazzy clothes
- Sings about himself in the third person
- Gone fishing
