It is not done to call “bullshit”: Difference between revisions

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Is this the first principle, or the last word, in practical risk management?
Is this the first principle, or the last word, in practical risk management?


Given, for all their pained protestations to the contrary, any commercial organisation is a [[self-perpetuating autocracy]] we should expect a great deal ''less'' licence to the free expression of uncomfortable opinions in every day practice than is [[Virtue-signalling|virtue-signaled]] by the boss in his daily lectures on the telescreen.  
Given that any commercial organisation is a [[self-perpetuating autocracy]], we should expect a great deal ''less'' licence to the free expression by the rank-and-file of uncomfortable opinions than is [[Virtue-signalling|virtue-signaled]] by the boss in his daily lectures on the telescreen.  


Those who survive for a time in an organisation are shaped and enculturated by it. They do not so much ''learn'' not to call “bullshit”, but rather self-select for a disposition for it ''not to occur to them'' to call “bullshit”.  
Those who survive in an organisation are shaped and enculturated by it. They do not so much ''learn'' not to call “bullshit”, but rather are selected for the sort of sunny disposition from which it ''does not to occur to them'' to call “bullshit”.  


Such “brand ambassadors” in turn, are a crucial part of the recruitment process — almost ''everyone'' is part of the recruitment process, somehow — and so they select people who are a “good cultural fit” — that is, ''disinclined to call “bullshit”, or even notice it''.  
Such “brand ambassadors” in turn, are a crucial part of the recruitment process — almost ''everyone'' is part of the recruitment process, somehow, these days — and so they select people who they think are a “good cultural fit” — that is, ''rather like them'': similarly disinclined to call “bullshit”, ''or even notice it''.  


Now, “calling bullshit” might not be ''actively'' repressed in the organisation — to the contrary, the executive will implore their people to do so at every opportunity, and may even mean it. For people are not punished for calling bullshit: they just ''don’t''. It is ''bred out of them''. And for every well meant manager encouraging the frank exchange of views, there are three in HR who wish the world were a safe space were everyone was kind, all points of view respected, and those feeling fragile were free to [[Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about|lie down or have a cry]].
Now, “calling bullshit” might not be ''actively'' repressed in the organisation — to the contrary, the politburo may implore their people to do so at every opportunity, and may even mean it. For people are not punished for calling bullshit: they just ''don’t''. It is ''bred out of them''.  
 
But for every well-intending manager who encourages the frank exchange of views, there will be three in HR who wish the world were a [[safe space]] were everyone was kind, all points of view respected, and those feeling fragile should free to [[Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about|lie down or have a cry]].


Thus, organisations thrive and flourish despite, and not because of, their internal governance.
Thus, organisations thrive and flourish despite, and not because of, their internal governance.
{{sa}}
{{sa}}
*[[Call bullshit]]
*[[Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about]]
*[[Consultation]]
*[[Consultation]]
*[[Otto’s razor]]: don’t assume malice where incompetence is an equally good explanation.
*[[Otto’s razor]]: don’t assume malice where incompetence is an equally good explanation.
*[[Thought leader]]
*[[Thought leader]]

Revision as of 17:11, 18 April 2023

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It is not done to call “bullshit”.

Is this the first principle, or the last word, in practical risk management?

Given that any commercial organisation is a self-perpetuating autocracy, we should expect a great deal less licence to the free expression by the rank-and-file of uncomfortable opinions than is virtue-signaled by the boss in his daily lectures on the telescreen.

Those who survive in an organisation are shaped and enculturated by it. They do not so much learn not to call “bullshit”, but rather are selected for the sort of sunny disposition from which it does not to occur to them to call “bullshit”.

Such “brand ambassadors” in turn, are a crucial part of the recruitment process — almost everyone is part of the recruitment process, somehow, these days — and so they select people who they think are a “good cultural fit” — that is, rather like them: similarly disinclined to call “bullshit”, or even notice it.

Now, “calling bullshit” might not be actively repressed in the organisation — to the contrary, the politburo may implore their people to do so at every opportunity, and may even mean it. For people are not punished for calling bullshit: they just don’t. It is bred out of them.

But for every well-intending manager who encourages the frank exchange of views, there will be three in HR who wish the world were a safe space were everyone was kind, all points of view respected, and those feeling fragile should free to lie down or have a cry.

Thus, organisations thrive and flourish despite, and not because of, their internal governance.

See also

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