Originally Posted by
virginexcess
The astonishing thing about JB is his ability to blame everyone else for his problems and get away with it. Either way it doesn't cut it. Either he hasn't had an original idea of his own since he's been here and has relied on his executive team to drive the airline, or else he's consistently employed the wrong people. Either way you cut it the buck stops with him. The only answer that seems feasible is that he has enough of the board in his pocket to protect himself from the likes of Luxton and the other shareholders.
I know someone who worked with him back in the 70s. Nothing remarkable to say, did not stand out as a leader or an innovator, was a typical 'sales person' good talker and even then not as good as the best. His career has been marked by getting into a niche, being in the right place at the right time and walking away taking credit for good performance at QF that was really just the rest of the airline operating around him.
This gave him a 'reputation' that appears not to be deserved. Add to this the distinct lack in the media of any substance at all these days and a bent toward sensationalism and beatifying people as 'messiahs' who are really just quietly spoken people in expensive suits that seem to 'look the part' but have zero substance.
Snake oil salesman is all he is... like so many in those upper-echelons but others at least seem to be able to produce something or least, not stuff it up.
Compare that to the high esteem and respect I hear people speak of Brett Godfrey and you wonder whether Godfrey short-sold himself by stepping aside to allow someone else to do the transformation job.
This comes down to something I've always hated, people who say "the clothes make the man" with respect to people like this bloke.
To paraphrase Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society "Excrement!!!" U.S. Grant and R.E. Lee at Appomatox Court House... Grant had overrun Lee and defeated him comprehensively and strategically overwhelmed him. The loser being Lee turns up with a gleaming sword, perfectly manicured horse, spotless uniform and not a hair out of place. By contrast, Grant turns up with mud and horse sh-t on his shoes, disheveled a with a Private's jacket on because he couldn't find his, messed hair and a half smoked cigar.
Question - who won the war... who was the better leader when it counted the most. Lee's uniforms and deportment counted for zip when the rubber hit the road. Same with people like JB... like a mudguard, all shiny on top with not much more than rubbish underneath, certainly no substance it would seem.