According to author Jim Collins, even great companies can decline. In his book, “How the Mighty Fall,” Collins seems to say ego plays a big role that is very difficult to overcome. Despite this powerful mindset that easily possesses executives of a rising company, he expresses hope, based on research, that decline can be turned around if leaders will recognize what is happening.
When top leadership starts going down this path, it is the top HR officer’s responsibility to call them on it. Yes, the HR officer should be there to bring balance and be willing to put their career on the line if necessary. But most HR people are too fearful for their jobs to do the right thing. “What if I lose my job? What if lose my home or I have to take my kids out of college, or sell my brand new car.” Blah, blah, blah! In the meantime, hundreds of jobs and employees’ lives could be at stake. HR officers fall in line and take orders from the top executives, and even take on the personality of their leader. Employees in most large corporations are distrustful of their top HR officer. It is pathetic. Sorry, but that’s how I have seen the real corporate world work. And I have been in HR for over 25 years.
Yet, I am still hopeful we, as Great Workplace Advocates, can help turn the culture of corporate America around so that trust in leadership can be returned.
