Crossing Nebraska

My previous post was a somewhat lighthearted reminiscence of a tumultuous corporate merger I weathered some years ago during a previous incarnation in the business world. If you’ve not yet read it, please check out A Parable of Two Power Structures . In it, I sketch out two contrasting organizational structures and their respective cultures—one hierarchical, traditional, and methodical, the other one flat, entrepreneurial, and nimble. Both structures have potentially positive and negative aspects. A hierarchical structure might better lend itself to stability, predictability, and a higher-quality product, but it might also be stultifying or even oppressive for the workers. A flat structure might be more dynamic and empowering for the workers, but it might also be more chaotic and result in a product of inconsistent quality. That said, my time in the “corporate jungle” burned into my brain an image of what I’ll call the “archetypal corporate empty suit ” (ACES). Sure, I’d encountere...

  I worked for well over a decade as an actuary for a few different property and casualty insurance companies before earning a graduate degree in counseling and changing professions entirely. What follows is an essentially true story of a corporate merger I weathered near the end of my tenure in the profession. I’ve simplified it and had a little fun with it—turning it into a modern-day parable of sorts. Some will no doubt see in it aspects of our current political situation. As with any good parable, though, the ultimate truth of this one is much more elusive! Here goes: A Parable of Two Power Structures There once was a company that sold widget protection. As you know, widgets are expensive and potentially dangerous, so we need widget protection in case ours gets damaged or in case we hurt someone with our widget and have to pay them for it. Widget protection is serious business. Thus, like so many others, this widget protection company had a serious name, and its CEO, like...

  Have you noticed a trend these days toward movie villains with sympathetic backstories? Perhaps we’re becoming more empathetic, having come to understand the importance of nurturing in our lives, and the lack thereof. Ah, but are all who abuse their power merely broken children who were never given the opportunity to heal? What about the genetic origins of the so-called “ dark triad ” personality types? Apparently, no matter how much understanding and compassion they’re shown, these poor souls will always be genetically predisposed toward narcissism, psychopathy, and indulging their manipulative and Machiavellian tendencies just a bit too much. With an estimated 1 of every 14 individuals being “dark triad” types, we’ve probably all encountered at least one of them in the flesh—or many for that matter. But even “good” people in pursuit of laudable ends can be self-centered, controlling, and manipulative at times. Maybe they so badly want or need to be seen as “good” that they tr...

  Woody Guthrie was famous for displaying the statement “this machine kills fascists” on his guitars. But lest anyone interpret that sentiment as him wanting to literally kill fascists, please rest assured. I’m quite certain he was referring to the stories, joy, and camaraderie shared via his music being enough to squelch anyone’s perceived need to support authoritarianism. With a nod to old Woody, I was thinking of titling this post “These Tools Kill Fascism.” However, I do try to stay away from any connotations of violence in my speech. Consider then what follows to be a description of our civic superpowers. Mural of Woody Guthrie at the Woody Guthrie Center Attention: Our attention is our most precious thing. What we give it to becomes us. This has always been true, but in these days of “shock and awe” we need to be especially mindful of the news, entertainment, and media we attend to. Each new day brings with it some appalling new action, outrageous statement, or destruct...