I think that’s the correct term – normally, it’s applied to public officials, but in the case of a public corporation, I think it’s appropriate.
I found this on Robert Zimmerman’s Behind the Black blog. Normally, he deals with climate, space, and other science-related topics. I signed up for the $2/month subscription, and it’s been MORE than worth it.
Now, engineers CAN be picky, overly ornery PITAs (Pains in the – well, you know). I can say this, as I have been married to an engineer for over 50 years. His virtues are many, and why we are still together.
His faults are those of many engineers:
- Insistence on doing things HIS way (the CORRECT way).
- Picking apart the flaws in the way others are performing tasks (like his long-suffering wife).
- Absolutely rigid about not taking shortcuts, ‘just this once’.
- Not always the most diplomatic in how he addresses others – OK, he can be REALLY clueless about saying things that cut people to the raw.
Now, a lot of that is training. Engineers are schooled to NOT cut safety corners. And, for work situations, that’s fine. Not always so fine when it comes to home tasks. I look forward to getting things done when he’s not around, as I can take time-saving shortcuts on cleaning tasks. My goal is usually to get the job DONE, not done PERFECTLY.
But, when safety is an issue?
He’s the guy I want in charge. Period.
Today’s managers don’t value that attention to detail. They come out of a looser culture. Many of them are women, who come in with the perception that men need to be put in their place (usually that place is UNDER a woman). The DEI culture has forced too many men to either knuckle under to decrees they consider not based on reason or logic, or to leave under a cloud.
Boeing is one such company. The managerial types have weeded out those who won’t go along with their cost-cutting measures, if they threaten safety. What is left is lackadaisical, poorly schooled in safe manufacturing practices, and, shall we say, ethically FLEXIBLE.
Our transportation system – planes, trains, cars, trucks, military and space – is suffering as a result.
