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MiniMicrosoft Blog - Disloyal Outburst(s)
Ok…I had no idea there was so much drama surrounding Microsoft. For years I’ve been a Microsoft fan (for software) but never do I get involved deeply enough to know anything remotely close to what this blog reveals. I understand a lot of the rants. Some of them are pretty far fetched and irrational while others are more rational. Let me just point out what I don’t like.
- There is a time and a place to bash people. That place is to their face or some other direct form not on someone’s blog.
- If you are going to bash someone have the decency to put your name on the bashing.
- If you are going to bash you company have the decency to put your name on the bashing.
- Man (or woman) up to your comments by PUTTING YOUR NAME ON THE COMMENTS.
- Stop just talking and do something about it.
Ok. Obviously I didn’t like the comments. Donald Trump said, on The Apprentice, disloyal employees need to be fired. There is nothing more he can’t stand, in terms of business. Donald, I agree. All of these people bumping their gums about the company they work for need to be kicked to the curb. Obviously those not involved with Microsoft have the right to say what they want online or elsewhere but those involved with Microsoft should keep their comments internal or offline.
The reason I say this is because they are hurting Microsoft more, if someone reads it, than Microsoft is by pushing Vista back. Obviously not in terms of money but perception is reality and someone not too aware of Microsoft’s internal workings may read this and think mayhem is on the rise. I would fire a disloyal employee in a heart beat. It is OK to have a different opinion than I or even confront me about decisions but don’t take your rants public in a way that could hurt the company.
My bottom line is: 1) Man up and stand behind your comments, 2) Use the right avenues for venting.
Read it for yourself here.
Posted by John C. Bland II on March 29, 2006 2:05 AM | Permalink
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Comments
Criticizing publicly isn’t being disloyal. You remind me of these people who declare “You can vote once every four years and then if you really love the country, you should stick with our President no matter what! And if you don’t like here, you can go somewhere else!”
Companies behave more like living organisms outsmarting each-other inside larger communities rather than the 1950s image of armies in hierarchical pyramids fighting each-other to death. Only in churches, you can get kicked out for dissent.
Regarding the anonymous postings, you should blame the corporate culture at Microsoft that inspires a fear of retaliation. Bill Gates once said “Sometimes I think my most important job as CEO is to listen for bad news. If you don’t act on it, your people will eventually stop bringing bad news to your attention. And that’s the beginning of the end.” Maybe this blog is for him a way to listen to bad news again and act on it. Maybe he’s been cut off the bad news for too long by layers of management who also failed to act.
And maybe these managers are more to blame than all the engineers venting on a blog who, I’m sure, continue to put crazy hours and get the job done.
Posted by: Pierre | March 31, 2006 7:39 AM
Your speculation is fine about Bill finding an avenue. If that’s his way…fine.
Being loyal to a company isn’t going out publicly and bashing the people you work for. Have you read the posts? One person even leaked some inside information! How loyal is that?
I completely understand people venting and I have no problems. My main issue comes in when they hide behind anonymity and talk real big, bad, and bold about people, leaving the company, and how management performs. If you are going to bash someone do it to their face or at least put your name on the blog post/comment so that person can deal with you direct.
Bottom line, I think it is terribly disloyal for an employee to use a public medium (blog, tv, radio, etc) to bash their company. Heck, Terrell Owens is disliked by many (not me) because he was bashing his team publicly. That’s a perfect example of a company (The Eagles) dealing with someone for being disloyal. At least he put his name on his statements and interviews and wasn’t hiding behind “Anonymous”.
Can you see what I mean now?
Posted by: John C. Bland II | April 7, 2006 11:19 AM