Alliedify

By Gordon MacKenzie

In most corporations, creativity gets tangled in bureaucracy, smothered by processes, and buried under layers of rigid conformity. In “Orbiting the Giant Hairball”, former Hallmark executive Gordon MacKenzie shares a playful yet powerful manifesto on how to nurture creativity without getting trapped in the “giant hairball” of corporate culture.

This isn’t your typical business book. With hand-drawn illustrations and quirky anecdotes, MacKenzie invites readers to embrace their inner misfit and challenge organizational norms. He offers an unfiltered look at how individuals can remain imaginative while still functioning inside a system that often resists change.

Rather than rejecting the corporate structure entirely, MacKenzie encourages a balanced act: orbiting the “hairball” instead of being consumed by it. His insights resonate with anyone trying to protect their creativity, push boundaries, and make authentic contributions in a world obsessed with sameness.

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Top 10 Lessons from Orbiting the Giant Hairball

1. Corporate structure is necessary—but not sacred

Rules, hierarchies, and processes serve a purpose, but when they become inflexible, they stifle innovation. Learn to respect the structure without becoming entangled in it.

2. Orbit the system, don’t get sucked in

You don’t have to choose between rebellion and submission. MacKenzie’s “orbiting” concept is about staying close enough to make an impact, but far enough to maintain your creative independence.

3. Permission is overrated

Waiting for approval kills momentum. If you’re always asking, “Can I do this?”—you probably won’t. Take initiative. Innovation thrives in action, not bureaucracy.

4. Creativity is your natural state—don’t let it be domesticated

As children, creativity flows effortlessly. As adults, systems try to tame it. Fight to keep your instinctive curiosity alive and untamed.

5. Celebrate the weird, the wild, and the whimsical

The most impactful ideas often come from unusual places. Embrace eccentricity—it’s a signal of originality, not a flaw to correct.

6. Every organization has a “giant hairball”

Whether it’s outdated policies, rigid thinking, or office politics, every company has its tangle. Identifying it is the first step toward orbiting it.

7. Your title doesn’t define your contribution

Influence and impact come from how you show up, not what’s printed on your business card. Creativity often bubbles up from the edges—not the top.

8. Artistry belongs in every profession

MacKenzie blurs the line between art and work. Whether you’re a marketer, engineer, or manager, creativity is a tool—not a luxury.

9. Teach creativity by modeling it

Rather than instructing others to “think outside the box,” live it. Creativity is contagious when it’s demonstrated consistently.

10. Success doesn’t require assimilation

You don’t have to lose your identity to climb the ladder. MacKenzie’s message is clear: be brave enough to stay yourself, even when the system nudges you to conform.