AUGUST 24th - QANTAS

[gobbledock]

ODE To Management

‘I am an Army of One’.

This story has been doing the rounds for eons, so I thought of a new twist that is appropriate in our day and age. Naturally, this is not aimed at any specific organisation or person, merely some thoughts and reasoning swirling through my mind……
This is the story of the story of the modern day CEO

‘I am an Army of One’
I am an army of One - A rogue from Cuckoo land, a miniature statue of a man in the business of wrecking airlines, I am a one man army.
For years I was a loyal soldier in a now defunct airline army. Now I fight my own war.
My staff used to feel valued and respected. Now they know they are mere fodder.
My workforce used to be enthused, loyal and proactive. Now they are downtrodden, mere numbers and liabilities, they are a hiccup upon the road to business success, a blight on profit and a skidmark on our asset sheet. They must be exploited through legal loopholes and to this end I dedicate my resources.
My staff used to give their maximum, enjoy a fair days pay for a fair days work, as well as enjoy union protection. Now they will suffer punishment at my hands for no greater reason than industrial greed.
I am an army of One.

I used to maintain sound business ethics, check myself against a moral compass, have empathy for those less fortunate. Now I obfuscate, lie and deceive, my sole purpose of living each day is based upon "greed greed greed". My urge to be wealthy at any cost, and my desire for this is insatiable, my love of self above the care of others is immeasurable. I used to pat kittens and make cups of tea for the elderly. Now, I will skin a cat to turn a dollar, and refuse to waste money on green tea for the elderly who add no tangible monetary value to life.
I used to try to honestly display facts, figures and business accuracy. Now I seek the most devious, unconscionable avenue to hide the truth, deceive the masses and persuade the gullible. Cash is my king, money is my god, and my wealth is my focus in life.
I used to lead by example, step up to the plate, act like a man. Now I hide behind bank statements, rely upon the latest electronic security systems to protect me at night, gutlessly hide my true sexuality. I am no longer strong but I am weak, I am no longer a leader I am a loser, I am no longer a man rather I am a mere shell of a true man.
I am an army of One.

I used to consider loyalty, skill, and an innovative and coherent workforce as being something of value and a good business foundation. Now I would rather slash and burn my workforce, thumb my nose at customer service, safety and reputation. I used to view on time performance as a service to the customer, now I view it as a method to receive a personal bonus. I used to find value in keeping share options high, now I will destroy my empire to make a quick sale and earn massive profits in the process. Once upon a time I used to lay the turd, now I simply attempt to polish it into something it is not.
I am an army of One.

I used to be an honest man, a man of integrity, a man with humble background, a man whose parents could be proud of. Now I would sell those same parents to make a quid, and I find honesty and integrity to be over rated and unprofitable. I used to make mistakes and admit to being imperfect. Now I cover up those same mistakes, apply a layer of lies and deceit to them and blame it on one of my soldiers who will take the fall willingly.
I used to take pride in my workforce, the colour of their uniform, the appearance of my aircraft and the strength of my brand. Now all I see is additional expenses, a spread sheet that needs to be trimmed, an avenue I must destroy to increase my overall wealth. I used to promote positive change, improvement in processes and expressions of view. Now I insist on my people being mushrooms, footstools and compliant servants.
I am an army of One.

I am on a new mission - to demonstrate that my misguided leadership, indifference and disrespect will make me rich beyond my boyhood dreams. I am the ferryman, and my workforce is going to pay.
When I make redundant more pilots than the rest, pilots that are overpaid and a burden to my bottom dollar - I make you pay.
When my under-resourced staff bases and soon to be over-worked DEC’s keep pilots downgraded, down-flowed, or downtrodden - I am making you pay.
When over-booked customers are denied boarding, when you pay for a service with one coloured tail and get systematically assigned to her sister tail - I will make you pay.
When you force pilots, who have waited 12 years to become captains, to be FOs again wearing a different uniform - I make you pay.
When an engine explodes I will apportion my pilot’s credit publicly for their ability to save the day, but privately I will be plotting to crush you and violate your overpaid existence - I will make you pay.
When I outwardly and publicly blame frontline workers for the mismanagement, incompetence, theatrics and spin of the executive team - I make you pay.

My management team and spin specialists speak for me, but I always act on my own. I am a walking nightmare to the shareholders that made me. Are you listening? This mercenary …… has only a small amount of time left with this company, but I am going to go out with all guns blazing. I will cut, shred, retrench, and destroy the workforce. I will fumigate the halls that are filled with union support, I will make it my mission, to outwit, outlast and outsource every breathing element of the organisation. I am a one man money making machine and human wrecking ball hell bent on lining my wallet to excess, I will not tolerate resistance, and I will not be swayed from my reasoning. I will be victorious.
I am a one army, I am a CEO.