Instead of layoffs amongst the hourly workers. Watch a bunch of companies following suit--the old Marine did it again. Darn, but it is good to work for him.
Thanks. I wasn't aware you worked for FedEx, and yes, it does look like a good company to work for. Only twice in my life have I ever worked for someone who I thought really gave a damn for his employees, but neither of them had to make a sacrifice quite like this. I certainly hope some companies will follow suit, but I think those execs. have to have that character to begin with, and I don't think very many do.
Still, you have to admit, if you were coming to this blog and looking on the outside and only knew a few things you'd think a package had been shipped well. The twins comment comes from an old saturday night live sketch that stuck with me, but from time to time given the comments that go back and forth, it seems to fit in a good way.
That's an interesting commentary on the gradual change over in corporate leadership has happened. In the 1960's, everyone had been in the military, 1980's not as many but a good deal of them had. But people with that background and mentality are getting to be rarer and rarer. As that happened you saw the bi increase in Corporate Leadership seminars and training because suddenly you had lots of folks who had zero backgournd in it.
And what they're teaching in corporate leadership seminars ain't leadership which perpetuates the cycle of bad management.
It is interesting to note that the reason for high amounts of military experience in corporations was due to the draft. Certainly I will not argue with the superiority of our all-volunteer military, but I think we're missing something as a society by not having the draft and the combined cross-cultural experience (for good or for bad) that it brings. Certainly it does not benefit everyone, but I think such discipline and exposure to the concepts of leadership and self-sacrifice does make for a better society.
In countries with compulsory service, what it often instills is an "I've done my two years, screw everyone" attitude though, thats not so keen. (at least according to a German ex-coworker who wished they'd go the route we've gone)
I bet it would work better if there's no only compulsory service, but compulsory militia membership and assault weapon ownership. That way folks'll like feel like they're not just pawns.
Bleah, anything with the word "militia" in it is not a good idea in my mind. Historically speaking, these organizations have very limited value for actual fighting, but instead get used for some other unpleasant business such as squashing internal dissent. The militia in the Revolution is a perfect case in point. We studied this in my Master's Course (and of course I have read on the side) and the general agreement was that the greatest contribution the militia had was the suppression of the tories via some basic terrorism. Of course, the raiding and occasional battlefield success were in there, but in big terms it was the rather unpleasant business that was the big score.
You get militias, you get big groups of armed men who start owing loyalities to lots of other things outside the US government. States, okay. But you put politics into this? With state governments appointing officers? Politics big time. I see lots of ways that could go and none of them are good. The guard covers this area quite well.
I would suggest manditory shooting classes in high school just like my mom and dad had. Gun safety, various laws and no one could hunt without having passed the course. If you wanted to go out later and get a gun, fine. But no manditory ownership or government providing. Bad ideas.
Does this mean you'll swear fealty to one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. You...an Army man - will swear Marines Rule? :)
Oh I know. Actually in general I find that Army and USMC former officers make good business and group leaders. I haven't had a lot of experience with former Navy and Air Force officers in these roles though to know if all former military tend to make good leaders in the civilian world.
18 comments:
Yeah. Got the news from Anna yesterday after it was announced. Definite props.
Um, what happened exactly?
I'm guessing fragile and/or perishable holiday gift arrived on time and intact.
It's like they're speaking esperanto or some language twins teach each other. :)
Alex-
here:
http://citizenshipblog.fedex.designcdt.com/node/551
Instead of layoffs amongst the hourly workers.
Watch a bunch of companies following suit--the old Marine did it again. Darn, but it is good to work for him.
Thanks. I wasn't aware you worked for FedEx, and yes, it does look like a good company to work for. Only twice in my life have I ever worked for someone who I thought really gave a damn for his employees, but neither of them had to make a sacrifice quite like this. I certainly hope some companies will follow suit, but I think those execs. have to have that character to begin with, and I don't think very many do.
Still, you have to admit, if you were coming to this blog and looking on the outside and only knew a few things you'd think a package had been shipped well. The twins comment comes from an old saturday night live sketch that stuck with me, but from time to time given the comments that go back and forth, it seems to fit in a good way.
Heh. Yes, they do have the tendency to speak twin sometimes...:)
Wow, now that is some serious leadership. Nice to see. Reminds me of Cypress, they did the same thing when I was there.
Yeah; our CEO is an old Marine, so it figures...
That's an interesting commentary on the gradual change over in corporate leadership has happened. In the 1960's, everyone had been in the military, 1980's not as many but a good deal of them had. But people with that background and mentality are getting to be rarer and rarer. As that happened you saw the bi increase in Corporate Leadership seminars and training because suddenly you had lots of folks who had zero backgournd in it.
And what they're teaching in corporate leadership seminars ain't leadership which perpetuates the cycle of bad management.
It is interesting to note that the reason for high amounts of military experience in corporations was due to the draft. Certainly I will not argue with the superiority of our all-volunteer military, but I think we're missing something as a society by not having the draft and the combined cross-cultural experience (for good or for bad) that it brings. Certainly it does not benefit everyone, but I think such discipline and exposure to the concepts of leadership and self-sacrifice does make for a better society.
In countries with compulsory service, what it often instills is an "I've done my two years, screw everyone" attitude though, thats not so keen. (at least according to a German ex-coworker who wished they'd go the route we've gone)
I bet it would work better if there's no only compulsory service, but compulsory militia membership and assault weapon ownership. That way folks'll like feel like they're not just pawns.
Bleah, anything with the word "militia" in it is not a good idea in my mind. Historically speaking, these organizations have very limited value for actual fighting, but instead get used for some other unpleasant business such as squashing internal dissent. The militia in the Revolution is a perfect case in point. We studied this in my Master's Course (and of course I have read on the side) and the general agreement was that the greatest contribution the militia had was the suppression of the tories via some basic terrorism. Of course, the raiding and occasional battlefield success were in there, but in big terms it was the rather unpleasant business that was the big score.
You get militias, you get big groups of armed men who start owing loyalities to lots of other things outside the US government. States, okay. But you put politics into this? With state governments appointing officers? Politics big time. I see lots of ways that could go and none of them are good. The guard covers this area quite well.
I would suggest manditory shooting classes in high school just like my mom and dad had. Gun safety, various laws and no one could hunt without having passed the course. If you wanted to go out later and get a gun, fine. But no manditory ownership or government providing. Bad ideas.
Of course this goes off the topic, which is that Marines as CEOs rule.
Does this mean you'll swear fealty to one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children.
You...an Army man - will swear Marines Rule? :)
Oh I know. Actually in general I find that Army and USMC former officers make good business and group leaders. I haven't had a lot of experience with former Navy and Air Force officers in these roles though to know if all former military tend to make good leaders in the civilian world.
I said as CEOs, that leaves a lot of other areas that they don't rule.
Fair enough. I would have been worried if you said otherwise.
Mike: excellent point.
Uh about the Marines or the militias?
BTW, thanks for the book! Merry Christmas!
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