Mean asshole theory If you're a mean asshole at work, it's likely that your colleagues won't contradict you or offer honest critique of your work because they are wary of you lashing out. This leads to a false sense of flawlessness. For decades, you spend your time pointing out faults in others, but you yourself are infallible. The only people who contradict you are either wrong or other mean assholes, who can be ignored because, well, everyone knows they're mean assholes.