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John Waters on Management

Rob WalkerPosted Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, at 11:42 AM ET

Now, you might think that the current hand-wringing over Hollywood morality is unlikely to yield any surprises, and up until this morning I would have agreed with you. But in today's Times, the director John Waters had this to say:

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You show me a kid who's not sneaking into R-rated movies and I'll show you a failure in the making. The future C.E.O.'s of America are all sneaking into R-rated movies.

So there you have it. For years the business magazines have been telling us that the running of companies is an activity best performed by rebels and rule-breakers. I never really believed it. Actually, I still don't quite believe it, but if John Waters has career advice to offer, I think most of us ought to pause and pay attention. So stop waiting for that Jack Welch book you wannabe MBAs, and go rent Polyester. I don't know if it'll make you a better CEO, but it will probably make you a more interesting one.

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COMMENTS

Reader Comment from The Fray:

I spent my teen years sneaking into R-rated movies and became a failure anyway. I guess it's necessary but not sufficient for success. I particularly remember one movie in which Joan Van Ark was raped and sodomized. Can't remember the name.

--Alex Anorak

(To reply, click here.)

[Note from the Fray Editor: We feel Mr Waters would be proud of Mr Anorak for his name and for his style.]

(9/19)

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