Disclaimer

I’m not a manager, I don’t consider myself an expert on how to do management. I’m told I’m bad at communication. And I only refer to the German translation of the animated adaptation of Astérix et Cléopâtre as-is. I did not look up if the subject of my criticism is Goscinny’s work or if it has been introduced at a later stage. Even if it’s present in Goscinny’s original, that’s not a mistake Goscinny made but rather a character flaw of Panoramix (though I wonder if intended by Goscinny or if he meant the scene to be interpreted differently). Though if the subject of this post has been introduced between the French original comic and the German dubbing of the animated version, then I’d like to call this out as a mistake.

The scene

In the scene Drei Teile, Panoramix asks Obelix to cut a (poisoned) cake into three pieces. (It’s plausible to assume that in other editions Obelix is asked to cut three pieces off the cake). Obelix proceeds and hands two regular cake-slice sized pieces of cake to Panoramix and Asterix, and keeps most of the cake to eat himself.

Panoramix scolds Obelix, insisting he was asking for three pieces (as if Obelix had cut the cake into a different number of pieces), to which Obelix innocently points out that he did produce three pieces.

Management interpretation

Obelix, as a qualified team member, understood the freedom in execution granted to him. The manager was asking for three pieces and left everything else unspecified: shape, size, method of cutting (he could’ve applied horizontal cuts). He furthermore took the different preferences of our three heroes into account (mostly his own, though it’s implied that Asterix and Panoramix are perfectly happy with regular sized pieces).

Panoramix, apparently did intend for three equal sized pieces. He did not spell this part of the request out, and he should know that Obelix’s preference for eating. Upon realizing how Obelix executed the task, he does not assume that this is simply miscommunication. He could say “that’s not what I meant”. Instead, he lectures Obelix as-if Obelix hadn’t executed the task at all. Panoramix also does not deliver the complaint blame-free.

Let me draft what lesson one would take from this:

When working for Panoramix, don’t think for yourself. Chances are that your own expertise will lead to different judgement and decision than what Panoramix wants. In case of ambiguity ask. Side effects include that Panoramix will complain about the constant questions and that you can’t work independently. Roll your eyes, act your wage.

Though, I assume, there are jobs with incentive packages, reward systems, etc, where you’re expected to report on issues like these. “Act your wage” might not mean “do what Panoramix tells you to do”. Many workplaces would want to be informed if one of their managers was leaving their team’s competences untapped. Even when the job is just cutting cakes, a customer might appreciate that you take their wishes into account.

In universe “plot twist”

As is quite obvious - but I’ll cite alltropes.org nevertheless - due to the poisonous nature of the cake it is for the best that Obelix’s cutting does not leave any leftovers. Three normal sized pieces of cake would’ve easily lead to Clepatra’s poisoning (who didn’t take an antidote). Following Panoramix’s instructions as intended (assuming he meant three normal sized pieces plus remainng cake - had he meant three equal sized pieces, this comment is invalid) would’ve led to a desasterous outcome.

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