Vows to pursue story despite danger.
I have no ill will toward Jason Goldberg.... So why do this? My interest lies with my readers.
Goldberg did apparently threaten a female employee, saying he’d put a bullet in her head if he found out she had been part of or leaked a rumor about an executive leaving the company.
~ Joel Cheezhead, Jobster Silence Deafening.
The Fishbowl Future:
Amnesty International works on the principle that publicity makes bullies think twice about extreme behaviour. That's probably true for the workplace as well.
So, employees need a public place to expose abuse at work. For whatever reason, Cheezhead is providing such a forum and this will be the norm in the no-secrets, fishbowl universe of the future. (Once again, Jobster is on the leading edge).
There is, however, a problem. Since most accusations are, by necessity, anonymous, we have to figure out which part of them is true. Look at the bullet-in-head story. JGo might have spoken in this disgusting manner but, even so, we don't know the context. What was going on? Had she leaked before? It wouldn't excuse his language but it would make a difference.
Other questions that come to mind:
1. How do the Wired article and Cheezhead's blog affect the company?
Will reports of verbal abuse drive away top talent? Maybe. It's hard to say.
Everyone had been terrorized by Steve Jobs at some point or another, and so there was a certain relief that the terrorist would be gone. And on the other hand I think there was incredible respect for Steve Jobs by the very same people, and we were all very worried what would happen to this company without the visionary, without the founder, without the charisma. ~ WikipediaRepeat after me: Steve Jobs is an egotistical jerk with a romantic streak. Bill Gates is a maniacal, antisocial vulture. Repeat ad nauseam. If you love to loathe Steve Jobs or Bill Gates -- and who doesn't? -- then "Pirates of Silicon Valley" is the movie for you. ~ Janelle Brown (Salon)
Steve still manages to find employees because "warm and fuzzy leaders may not always get the best results". And visionaries are, by definition, self-absorbed. Everyone says "it can't be done" but they don't care what other people think.
"The very qualities that may send employees up the wall -- stepping on toes, refusing to listen and steamrolling employee suggestions.... often are the ones that drive companies to success. We think too much about the characteristics of leaders and not enough about what they stand for.'' ~ Michael Maccoby, The Productive Narcissist
But is JGo like Steve? Time will tell.
2. How should the company respond?
Sometimes, silence is golden and that might be the case now. A few weeks ago Mr Moustache suggested that we discuss publicity on The Recruiting Animal Show. And, conveniently, he's the guest on Wednesday.
The Recruiting Animal Show.
Topic: Does bad publicity exist?
Wed April 11, NOON EST
Call to talk: (646) 652-2754
Listen On: Windows Media
MSN Messenger: recruiting_animal@hotmail.com
Reference: CW Nevius (SFGate)
