Paterno–Boss of Bosses

Powerful individuals can invert organizational hierarchy.  They boss their bosses or win immunity from supervision.  Joe Paterno’s “fuggedaboudit” to 2004 retirement urgings by Penn State’s President and Athletic Director was characteristic.  Or, as he made clear twenty years earlier to an old friend who was then General Manager of the Cleveland Browns feeling Joe out about becoming head coach, ‘If I take that job, you’re working for me. I’m not working for you.’ Philly Inquirer, 1/30/12.