Operating in lean times

A Scott Adams cartoon illustrates the decis ion-making process for layoffs in dysfunctional companies: Dilbert and Wally are looking into a conference room where all the “pointy-haired” bosses are assembled to select who will be terminated. Wally is magically transformed into the proverbial fly on the wall and eavesdrops on the conversation: “Let’s focus on our priorities and make rational budget decisions. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. Back to reality, I’ll fire Ted; he creeps me out. Who else do we hate?” While amusing, this cartoon is also painfully accurate: Personalities and popularity, not performance, can sometimes drive company decisions. Clearly, this should not be the case. But when it does happen, those responsible often try to couch their decisions in acceptable terms by saying “Ted does not fit into our company culture” or “He’s not a team player.”