Thread regarding Ford layoffs

3iyi The Ford culture has been alive since Henry I days. There is a pattern of when the Ford men are young they surround themselves with people who can make themselves better, and the company prospers. Then snap, they feel eclipsed (threatened) and fire the very people who make the company great.

Henry I destroyed vehicles in a rage when employees improved upon his Model T. Henry I also used Harry Bennett to “take care of people and problems”.

Henry II ousted Harry Bennett and his posse (goodness) and hired the wh-z kids. But in his older years fired all the wh-z kids like Iacocca.

Bill Ford realizing he needed help brought in Mulally, then feeling threatened invited him to leave before his contract was up. Bill then installed sycophants like Hackett and Farley.

This pattern echos all down the leadership tree. Step back and observe.

@3iyi+1uHeeJgA Guessing you have not had any unscripted interactions with the CEO or DF and are just worshipping from afar. Two Jims is a treat to be around when he thinks no one of consequence is observing.

I have not come across any LL's that are like what is described in this post or comments. I work in Model e and that might be why. DF has fostered a positive and growth atmosphere in Model e.

This point that was posted below is dead on target.

"the competent unicorn who actually cares and is respected. This unicorn will also later be sacked as the FnF crowd cannot tolerate competence in their ranks. "

@1ues+1uHeeJgA. Totally disagree with “ LL5 and above are sharp, and trying hard to engage younger GSR work force”.
There are precious few LL5 who meet that criteria. One is hard pressed to find any LL5 that you can actually respect. Broadly you have

• the Friends and Family appointee that has no substance or ethics and long ago lost all their dignity.
• the wanna be FnF that has used dirty tricks to climb to their position. The type of person that you feel slimy just being around. They are used by the FnF crowd to do their dirtiest work.
• the placeholder that was promoted and will later be sacked. Usually done to meet some HR initiative
• the competent unicorn who actually cares and is respected. This unicorn will also later be sacked as the FnF crowd cannot tolerate competence in their ranks.

Similarly there are precious few LL4 or LL3 who are actually competent.

The scenario that plays out repeatedly at Ford is: LLx behaves badly (blames others / steals credit / shame sheds / bullies / etc); Underlings either dogpile on or feel very uncomfortable. The LLx notices those underlings feeling uncomfortable and seeks to get those underlings hands dirty. If the underlings aren’t corruptible (aren’t willing to lose their self respect) they become the targets of the LLx bad behaviors. The targeted underlings either quit/are fired/comply with LLx.

The company LLx are rotten to the core. The most talented and ethical GSRs leave the company as soon as they realize this. Some in less than a year, most in less than 5 years.

Employees at Ford do not want to come to office and prefer to stay home - allegedly WFH. Even Supvs come occasionally for an hour or two, couple days/week, to clock in the badge. Supvs are not even aware of what is going on outside of the specific assignments. They are playing classic role of "seat-warmers" in meetings. LL5 and above are sharp, and trying hard to engage younger GSR work force but LL6 level is comfortably coasting to retirement, acting like a "Damper". Sell the stock. This company is on road to down sizing until they get bought out..,,

Epic fail on the part of most LL6 supervisors: Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.

It's amazing how when you are in the trenches that you can't see how stupid it all really is.

Most brilliant movie ever that still more true today than the day it was released