Work force diversity, based on demographics alone, is an unattainable goal and a fool’s errand. Nothing beats merit, no matter where it is found. But to select randomly, in the hope or wish that the selected candidate will somehow rise to the occasion because the responsibility is thrust upon him or her, is betting of massive failure.
On the job is no place to winnow out the highly incompetent. Or even the marginal applicant. The best of the best is an absolute essential in a high-pressure position.
On the job is no place to winnow out the highly incompetent. Or even the marginal applicant. The best of the best is an absolute essential in a high-pressure position.
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Thank you, alloysteel, for the most eloquent, down-to-earth, and easily understood critique of diversity hiring I've ever read.
Before I retired, I followed as an industry analyst the niche software market that serves the telecom industry. And I'm happy to report back that when I attended a company sponsored event or heard execs talk at conferences, I detected no DEI foolishness. Very few women had high level executive positions, but the few that did showed their competence. And for good reason, competition in the B2B software space is a brutal business.
For decades, Fortune Magazine used to a great publication, and I was an avid reader. But soon after it was a acquired by the Chinese interests, it became a partisan pub that satisfied the DEI fans, the climate hoaxers, and the anti-Trump / anti-common sense forces.
But somehow a in 2018 Fortune has the good sense to allow seasoned pro Shawn Tully the freedom to write a stellar piece of corporate journalism, entitled, Paper Jam! How Carl Icahn And a Billionaire Partner Blocked Xerox’s Merger with Fujifilm.
The full story is at the link, and parts of it read like a corporate thriller. Essentially Icahn's team saved Xerox from bad management decisions at the top, especially from CEO Ursula Burns, a DEI hire and her "acolyte" Jeff Jacobson.
It's a classic example of how incompetent leadership at the top of major companies can destroy tens of thousands of jobs.
Excellent comment...