Corporations are scrambling to protect their senior executives. Boards are reassessing security budgets. And CEOs are being told to delete their digital footprints.
Everyone says this but I disagree. I’m sure Musk and many other public figures are emperors without clothes or whatever. But this idea that most execs are this other species blind to the muck under their boot… but most people are normal people… They may be mean, evil, mentally ill. But they don’t party in the front train car with no idea about the insect bars in the back. They’re just selfish and don’t care. They’re well aware. Don’t give them credit for ignorance by delusion. It’s malice. I make business decisions. I make them in partnership with colleagues. Some are kind. Some are dicks. But they’re intelligent enough to know what decision they’re making. And this transcends boxes. Even some of the most compassionate and empathetic human centric people I’ve ever worked with, proven in actions, not words, are repeat Trump voters. Having said that, most verticals of business are like elected office in that a certain type of person is going to win and get to the top. Oil tycoons know they’re burning the earth for personal gain. Non profit exec takes a big slice of pie, understanding the bookkeeping. They both just believe they should have it. Maybe not even deserve. Many leaders feel ordained to retroactively validate vile means to ends. “I’m on top, so I’m supposed to be on top. I see I stepped on people but that’s okay, because I’m supposed to be on top.” I know wealthy people too and it’s nearly the same. They’re on earth. They see what’s up. Many of them are in your office but just don’t mention cotillion or junior league. Some are kind, some are assholes. Just like all people.
Everyone says this but I disagree. I’m sure Musk and many other public figures are emperors without clothes or whatever. But this idea that most execs are this other species blind to the muck under their boot… but most people are normal people… They may be mean, evil, mentally ill. But they don’t party in the front train car with no idea about the insect bars in the back. They’re just selfish and don’t care. They’re well aware. Don’t give them credit for ignorance by delusion. It’s malice. I make business decisions. I make them in partnership with colleagues. Some are kind. Some are dicks. But they’re intelligent enough to know what decision they’re making. And this transcends boxes. Even some of the most compassionate and empathetic human centric people I’ve ever worked with, proven in actions, not words, are repeat Trump voters. Having said that, most verticals of business are like elected office in that a certain type of person is going to win and get to the top. Oil tycoons know they’re burning the earth for personal gain. Non profit exec takes a big slice of pie, understanding the bookkeeping. They both just believe they should have it. Maybe not even deserve. Many leaders feel ordained to retroactively validate vile means to ends. “I’m on top, so I’m supposed to be on top. I see I stepped on people but that’s okay, because I’m supposed to be on top.” I know wealthy people too and it’s nearly the same. They’re on earth. They see what’s up. Many of them are in your office but just don’t mention cotillion or junior league. Some are kind, some are assholes. Just like all people.