It begins. Conflicting reports about the state of the economy.  It’s getting better. No, it’s getting worse. Better! Worse! Did! Didn’t! Did too!

Oh for Pete’s sake!  If you’ve had enough already, like me, then become a skeptic. It’s good for you and it’s good for your business.

By skeptic I don’t mean someone who automatically rejects new ideas.  And I don’t mean cynicism.  I’m talking about the original meaning of skepticism.

Question all ideas.  Use the scientific method to evaluate reports and statements.  Ask for compelling evidence.  Don’t accept hearsay.  Don’t automatically trust experts.

In an ever changing world facts are never final.  They are open to challenge and subject to change.  Be wise–treat all facts as provisional conclusions.

Remember–don’t take up skepticism as a position. It’s a method. Use it.

Gnawing at your future

Here’s a good reason to be skeptical about leaders back at the office.  According to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, company insiders sold 22 times more shares in June 2009 than they bought. Insiders tend to be the people at the top.

What are we to think of leaders who don’t believe in the future performance of their own companies?  After all, these are supposedly the ones with the vision, the strategy and the plans to lead us through the night.

You know what I think?  I think as little as possible.  Because every time I start to think, I think of what rats do when they think a ship is sinking.

First-world hostility at work

Talking about rats, I once worked for a retailer in a country labeled as third-world.  No surprise, because back then the country was caught up in social unrest.  And yet, that’s where I learned many leadership lessons.

Like this one.  The CEO once explained why he insisted on a really good work environment.  He wanted employees to feel that at least at work they would be safe, valued and nurtured.

Currently the USA is going through social readjustment, not social unrest.  Nevertheless, there is enough tension and fear in many work places for these to be labeled hostile work environments.

What are CEOs doing about it?  Very little because hostility is a tried and tested way of encouraging people to leave.

Sometimes I wonder which country is really third world.

Sorry about that last comment, but bad executives make me mad.  So mad that I act stupid.  Like people in organizations.

Organizations are strange concoctions.  They are staffed with people who agree to strive for collective objectives in exchange for individual rewards.  These people agree on a code of conduct and to follow instructions.

Those who don’t accept the purpose as mutual, the codes as worthy or the instructions as valid, are kicked out.  At best, it becomes a place where those who do think differently, learn to conform.  At worst, it becomes staffed with like-minded people inclined towards pre-judgment and prejudice.

We have created a place where the person who critically assesses ideas is labeled an obstructionist; where the one who speaks the truth is undiplomatic; where the expert hired for her knowledge is told that we've always done it this way; and where the one who agrees with us and tells us what we like to hear is promoted.

What hilarious nonsense!  Except it’s not funny when you make stupid decisions because others are unwilling to speak up and against.