Nike will become an even more unbearable workplace than it already is. Though I don’t think they will need to put much effort into pushing people out, since talent is leaving on its own in droves. Whoever has a nerve to stay and make sure they get severance, kudos to you. I’m on the fence. But if I get a good job offer, I will run, not leave in an orderly fashion.
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Attrition new strat, ABSOLUTELY. Yours JD
Yes. How I see it.
- Layoffs targeted poor performers.
- They gave the same raise for all because no poor performers left.
- Attrition accelerates. High performers leave; mediocrity remains.
- Sr leaders are repeating something new now. You catch it yet? “Era of accountability.” Problem is, the honest will legit try to push the needle and some will fail, the dishonest will rig the goal, most will succeed. Result: Honest demotivated, liars rewarded.
- Honest will leave, liars will stay.
You’re left with lying mediocre POSs. What we have most of the time with our leaders already but the difference is, condensing it. Can only get worse with this thinking.
I think the root problem is a basic philosophy. If a tech company is struggling, this makes sense. They are uninspiring and not cool. So strapping a stick to every corner to whack people works because culture would have little to no change. But Nike is a not tech company. Creativity is the core. Sticks diminish creativity. It’s like yelling and kicking your spouse who’s contemplating leaving you saying “you must love me.” F-no. Never gonna work like that. That’s why JD and any outsider fails Nike, they have no concept of what made Nike great, so they apply the same cr-ppy experience of their past to something they don’t understand.
Just do your job and if you don’t like it, find another one.
There is so much main character syndrome at Nike it’s unbelievable.