December 8, 2024

businessweek

Taste For Business

Kindness vs bullying & humility vs humiliation | Opinions

Dear Editor, 

I had the unique opportunity to be invited (have it in composing) to show up at a conference (component of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission) on May perhaps 19, that centered on authorities, non-public business, and navy working on answers on road blocks for armed forces and armed forces provider associates. I individually am not a fan of meetings as they are usually about 1 who wishes an audience and is an ineffective way to devote the most cherished source time. It was since of my contributions to my nonprofit that I was invited. I arrived a wee bit late because of typical sudden targeted traffic troubles. I chosen a seat centered on my DNA, away from the centre of the dialogue routines. I was pleased to see a good friend of mine there, Jeff McKay, the chairman of the Board of Supervisors. During this relatively lengthy two hrs, the folks at the desk brought up some pretty common topics “challenges to obtaining your voice heard”, “inability to get a voice at the table”, and a pair other subjects that were being also a outcome of vanity and egotistical people that exist. On a further subject working with infrastructure concerns struggling with MDW, I elevated my hand and was acknowledged, and gave enter on a sub-metering venture that transpired yrs in the past exactly where a contractor took benefit of the armed service and pocketed countless numbers of dollars. There was a next time I experienced an enter and lifted my hand and I was humiliated and slice off by an elected formal in Fairfax County, who was the chair of this assembly, Penny Gross, the Mason District supervisor and vice chairwoman to the Board of Supervisors. This was finished in the visual and audio presence of all attendees like those virtually connected. On this event, I was actually sporting a blazer, and business enterprise apparel, not my usual selection. I also had my JMUA award pin on my blazer (Joint Meritorious Unit Award) offered to me by previous Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. I had my media credentials also (quite a number of). It quickly reminded me that bullying goes on without having a hitch, and elected officers are section of the difficulty. Note to history, bullying is not satisfactory no make any difference what age team and really not encouraged when witnesses get to see who you genuinely are. Oh, btw, we who have credentials in the media do not like getting bullied and humiliated. I have the overall scenario recorded as I was recording the conference.  I even contacted that office to express my concerns and no one particular has despatched an apology. Compared with the elected formal, I was kind and civil and this was verified by the staffer. (I have their identify). How easy she did this following Jeff still left (yea, arranging!). From anyone who has contributed so substantially to individuals in need to have, for navy, general public security, other people all over the environment in need to have, it is a accurate way of displaying what management is produced up of and solidifying my view of the planet, that imply persons suck.

Dave Minyard

Vienna