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Another management article, another comfortable metaphor that doesn't say much more than uncomfortable terms like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepotism https:/

Another management article, another comfortable metaphor that doesn't say much more than uncomfortable terms like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepotism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepotism. The image of "a formation of enemies smashing through your lines" just offers a sensation of gradually being overwhelmed. It implies more coordination and competency than exists, doesn't convey strategies against the maneuver, and also doesn't describe the consequences. Like the article said, it only applies to big companies and not really to smaller ones. I think the more fitting metaphor for nepotism is cancer. Friends hiring friends who hire friends often cannot manage their friends; let alone fire their friends. It's unconscious, easy to spread, easy to grow, all natural with bad long-term prospects for the host. Like the author implies, it's not a strategy for the "long game". Too bad management articles can't speak straightly for fear of losing ethically confused readers.

acjohnson55 4y ago
It's really more akin to cronyism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronyism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronyism), if we're being pendantic. Nepotism literally referring to someone's nephew, although you're right that colloquially, it also refers to friends. I thought the article was pretty critical of the practice, regardless. It takes at face value the idea that people may be choosing the strategy for rational reasons, while ultimately concluding that it's a suboptimal strategy with harmful consequences.
- hitekker 4y ago
  Cronyism is a good word too! It's telling that the article didn't refer to it. Nor did it explain its harmful consequences, or strategies on how to contain it. I think if the author was direct instead of elliptical, his article would have antagonized half of the audience he seeks to gain clout with. A clear delineation between good hires and cronies would probably rankle the manager types (of which I'm one) that perceive any negativity as cutting criticism.

acjohnson55 4y ago

It's really more akin to cronyism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronyism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronyism), if we're being pendantic. Nepotism literally referring to someone's nephew, although you're right that colloquially, it also refers to friends. I thought the article was pretty critical of the practice, regardless. It takes at face value the idea that people may be choosing the strategy for rational reasons, while ultimately concluding that it's a suboptimal strategy with harmful consequences.

hitekker 4y ago
Cronyism is a good word too! It's telling that the article didn't refer to it. Nor did it explain its harmful consequences, or strategies on how to contain it. I think if the author was direct instead of elliptical, his article would have antagonized half of the audience he seeks to gain clout with. A clear delineation between good hires and cronies would probably rankle the manager types (of which I'm one) that perceive any negativity as cutting criticism.