3 ms·

Yeah, there is even a whole academic-grade sociology book about this, called Moral Mazes.

• bjornsing 7y ago
  Interesting. Haven’t come across this book before. A quick glance on the Wikipedia page[1] doesn’t give me the impression that it paints all managers/executives as reprehensible though... But I guess you’ve read it and come to this conclusion? I do agree though that there is, in many of the organizations I’ve worked in, large and smallish, a perverse incentive structure in that "instead of ability, talent, and dedicated service to an organization, politics, adroit talk, luck, connections, and self-promotion are the real sorters of people into sheep and goats" [1]. But you think the solution to this is more bureaucracy? I’m leaning more towards better selection, cultural norms and perhaps some “separation of powers”. But I’m speculating. 1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_Mazes https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_Mazes
  • lonelappde 7y ago
    Most people are selfish. But this only matters when people have power. That's why people in power look so bad.
    • bjornsing 7y ago
      An interesting and succinct explanation. It goes well with my own thinking too, that (in management/power) you want people who are focused on the outside world, with a “selfish” desire to affect/change it. When they act “selfishly” they will at least do something resembling executing on a strategy. The people you really want to avoid are those that are not very talented or able and just want power for its own sake. When they turn “selfish” they will focus within the organization, promoting cronies, expanding their power base, etc, etc. when others see this the culture goes to hell... That’s my current theory at least. :P