[December 2, 2023] I wrote an article about fake workplace victimization ten years ago. It was based on my observation of the Department of Army Civilizations (DACs). At the time, I recommended to the military that the best solution for them was to reduce civilian hires by more than 50%, keeping the best qualified and firing the rest. I was a General Officer, and my opinion mattered; apparently not. Not only did the Army not reduce their civilian hires, they dramatically increased the number.
The result has been a concomitant reduction in military readiness and increased hiring of unqualified civilians (those with criminal backgrounds, drug use, severe mental health problems, and a few who are spies from China and Russia). This is not hyperbole. The Army has doubled down to hire those who believe themselves “victims” of the world. The Army now prioritizes these hires.
Below is my original article, and it is as relevant then as it is today. And as long as the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III remains in his post, this will continue and will have a lasting negative effect on the military mission.
An undeniable trend, since its origins in the 1960s, has been both the emergence of the international politics of cultural victimization (e.g., the Palestinian issue) and American fake victimization. Senior executive leaders are already aware of these fake victimization trends in the workplace and are struggling to address them professionally.
There is no denying that many employees have experienced unjust barriers and harassment in the workplace. Eliminating barriers that have nothing to do with success in the workplace and preventing harassment are admirable goals and there should be an aggressive and active program that addresses the problem.
Yet, fake workplace victimization that creates bogus victims is also a huge problem. Nothing more destroys the credibility of true victims than the false prophets of victimization: those who falsely claim barriers or harassment for personal gain. Furthermore, it causes worker animosity and is a socially divisive and destructive force.
Artificial workplace victimization is easy and convenient for the perpetrator. It frees the self-declared “victim” of responsibility, creates a position for them of moral superiority, and places accusatory blame on innocents in the organization.
Victimization is based on the presumption of “equal outcomes” for all. This contrasts with the concept of “equal opportunities” and “equal treatment” for everyone. The former means everyone receives the same promotion, pay raise, and status based on membership as opposed to merit.
The long-held business model that technical and leadership skills are valued, is now turned on its head. Those employees who fail to perform, and falsely claim victimization, will now be rewarded through additional training and mentoring.
There is an ideology that claims that the failure of a business to advance certain classes of employees is due to sexism, racism, homophobia, or some other “ism” or phobia. Politically approved victimization categories are used to justify a “victim’s” plight. This is increasingly commonplace and puts the onus on the organizational leadership.
The best employees are most at risk because their gains are seen as illegitimate and at the cost of the self-proclaimed victim’s benefits. Good employees are also on notice that once valued employee traits and merit are no longer the key to success, but being a victim will bring you rewards.
Senior leaders who allow a fake workplace victimization mentality to take hold and grow, by neglect or consciously, lack the moral courage to speak up and act. Failure to act will drive the best employees out and will result in the inability to accomplish the organization’s mission.
Rewards in the business world is based on merit. Victimization mentality is based on physical attributes and political classifications – certainly not the American way.
—————
Please read my books:
Sir, I’m happy you pulled an article from a decade ago to show that you were ahead of the curve identifying the destruction of victimhood by 2013. That is one of the reasons I am a reader here. BTW, your series on Leader Trends was very powerful and useful. I highly recommend it to others.
https://www.theleadermaker.com/?s=leader+trends
Thanks Mainer for the link and comment. 👀
Excellent job my friend. Victimized to get ahead in life is wrong. I remember the boy that cried wolf.
Fable. The tale concerns a shepherd boy who repeatedly fools villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking his town’s flock. When an actual wolf appears and the boy calls for help, the villagers believe that it is another false alarm, and the sheep are eaten by the wolf and boy.
This story sums up the real problem with 😢 cry.
To many people have lost their lives and careers over this behavior.
Proverbs 12
This verse emphasizes that positive, truthful speech has a lasting quality. While the harm done by lies can linger (Proverbs 12:18), dishonesty tends to expose itself (Proverbs 12:13). Lies self-destruct and destroy those who make them. Truth endures because there is nothing deceptive or false about it.
Excellent point from the Bible, thanks Eddie.
Gen. Satterfield is all over this “fake victimization” crap that we hear so much about and are REQUIRED to acknowledge their victimhood. I will not do so. I will make fun of them every chance I get, just to get a reaction. Oh, I also recommend “Lady Ballers.” I signed up for Daily Wire + just to see it. The movie is more of a low-budget spoof on wokeism than anything else. Loved it and the cameo appearances make it great.
Nothing like a great article to read as I wake up and have my cup of morning java. Keep ’em coming our way, Gen. Satterfield. Big fan of yours.
No, I’m his biggest fan! Ha Ha Ha. it doesn’t matter as long as we are all fans of Gen. Satterfield and we are on board with learning how to be better leaders and better citizens.
Thanks RED and Maximilian for the compliment.
Well said.
Gen. Satterfield is all over this topic. Our national governmental institutions have become a cesspool of idiots, perverts, and virtue signalers. They are the ones who have become the Nazi sympathizers we used to read about and claim that could never happen in America. We were wrong. The solution. Start with making fun of them like in the movies like “Lady Ballers.” Watch it. This is the beginning of the culture war.
https://www.theleadermaker.com/the-most-triggering-movie-of-the-year/
Nothing like seeing that Gen. Satterfield is getting better at his writing but also that he has great insight into what we are like as humans. The West is in freefall thanks to crazy liberal leaders we have like brain-dead joe biteme.
Good one, Big Al. I was thinking about writing the same thing. Watch out, however, the FBI will have your name and links to come after you if you insult our King without clothes. They are the Gestapo of today.
Great article from the past.
Phenomenal …. keep the truth! stay the course!
Shawn, you da man. You get my “da man” award for some of the best and shortest comments in Gen. Satterfield’s leadership forum. So, thank you Shawn.
……….
On another note, please everyone, get copies of Gen.Satterfield’s books. The best, IMO, is “55 Rules for a Good Life” and please please please leave a comment on Amazon where it is available for purchase. And less than $10.
https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
TRUTH and FACTS 👍
Thanks Da Man for the recommendation. I would hope that all of us here have a copy by now and have read these books several times. I also will agree that “55 rules for a good life” is Gen. Satterfield’s best work. And most useful. I would love for him to turn this into a much longer book that details better what he is saying. Keep the faith guys.
Thank you, sir. ❤❤❤❤❤