Anyone else take issue with the ‘motivational’ video shown at the last town hall?
Our CEO really woke up today and said, “You know what will inspire the team? Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas.”
So now all of us watched a heavyweight upset from 1990 like it’s a mandatory corporate TED Talk.
Nothing says “Q2 synergy” like a grainy VHS quality uppercut.
To be fair, the message was supposed to be about resilience, grit, and “getting back up when you’re knocked down.” But here’s the thing: Mike Tyson isn’t just a boxing legend — he’s also a man who was convicted of se-----y as--ulting a woman. That part matters. It’s not a footnote. It’s part of the real story, and it deserves acknowledgment, especially in a workplace where safety and respect for women aren’t optional values.
So yes, the Buster Douglas upset is iconic. Yes, the metaphor could have worked. But maybe — just maybe — there are motivational examples that don’t require HR to brace for impact.
In the meantime, if next week’s “inspirational clip” is from Tiger King, I’m calling out sick.