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The consequences of misplaced sincerity and probity in public office
There is a tipping point at which nice sounding words like sincerity, work ethic, and zero tolerance for corruption become liabilities
This government has reached that point
There is a tipping point at which nice sounding words like sincerity, work ethic, and zero tolerance for corruption become liabilities
This government has reached that point
It's all very well to push for compliance, in both letter and spirit with the numerous regulations that exist
But when you are over-zealous in trying to cross the t's and dot the i's, your misplaced thoroughness creates disincentives in the system
But when you are over-zealous in trying to cross the t's and dot the i's, your misplaced thoroughness creates disincentives in the system
It's like the well intentioned boss who micro-manages his DRs, and berates them if they reach office 2 mins late
Such a lack of proportion causes employees to leave if they can help. Or dampen enthusiasm in general
Such a lack of proportion causes employees to leave if they can help. Or dampen enthusiasm in general
One tolerates a certain degree of non compliance, and even indiscipline, for the larger cause
That's how the world works
That's how the world works
The "head-mistress"-like approach works well in schools. In Colleges. Universities. Where people don't have an option but to put up with your tantrums and your puritanical ways
A PhD candidate is utterly dependent on his guide for e.g.
A PhD candidate is utterly dependent on his guide for e.g.
But in the marketplace, that's not how things work
People vote with their feet. And you pay the price for "bad optics" almost immediately
Doesn't matter how well intentioned you are. It's the perceptions that count
People vote with their feet. And you pay the price for "bad optics" almost immediately
Doesn't matter how well intentioned you are. It's the perceptions that count
I am not even getting into the ideological debate here on how taxes already constitute CSR. On how CSR is a bogus concept
That's a separate debate
That's a separate debate
But regardless of ideology, policy makers need to understand that people and corporations have agency. They are not passive onlookers
They respond to incentives. Both good and bad
And vote with their feet
They respond to incentives. Both good and bad
And vote with their feet
Many in this administration think "minimizing corruption / wrongdoing" works wonders
But the thing is - Zero corruption / zero crime rates / zero divorce rates - are never great things
Anything zero is to be viewed with suspicion
But the thing is - Zero corruption / zero crime rates / zero divorce rates - are never great things
Anything zero is to be viewed with suspicion
If you seek to stamp out crime or corruption, it always comes at a cost
To give an analogy - As a tennis player you don't try to minimize unforced errors to zero
If you reduce unforced errors to 0, it means you are not hitting enough winners
You will lose against good players
To give an analogy - As a tennis player you don't try to minimize unforced errors to zero
If you reduce unforced errors to 0, it means you are not hitting enough winners
You will lose against good players
