Essai

Abstract

This paper explores the connection between management and organization and a notion that is generally ignored in literature but that we nevertheless quite often experience as normal in our daily lives in organizations: contempt. Personal experience provides a suitable starting point. An incident in a bank involves a situation where the behaviour of a manager, new to the position, was interpreted by the employees present, in a period of reorganization, as contempt. Contempt is an emotion that is usually denied in organizations, and, if not, is always condemned. A good manager is not allowed to be contemptuous; at least he or she shouldn’t show it. But contempt is a feeling that almost no one can deny having felt at some time. It seems to be ubiquitous. Along these lines, it will be asked if the incident described is a singular perception of misbehaviour or if it hints at a more general phenomenon.