Under a Magnifying Glass
Writing under a spotlight.
Conventional wisdom is that if you have my work history and you want another role, you keep a very low profile and quietly network. You may write a couple of technical pieces and put them on LinkedIn, but for God's sake, you don’t write your opinion anywhere, or it will haunt you and make you less qualified for that next role. Employers are afraid you will write something that, if discovered, could embarrass them. I doubt they would ever find anything in my work, but you never know. I write because it’s fun.
II suppose people can find anything in anyone if they want to look and project motive on someone. Gaslighting people is a common practice in politics, business, and everyday life, so that’s the downside. I’m very exposed just because I love writing. I care only a little.
I knew in 2015 when I first started writing that my work would be subject to criticism. I knew people would disagree with some of my work, especially my stance against DEI, ESG scoring, and other virtue-signaling causes, and it feels wonderful after so much criticism that people are finally getting it right because the results are coming in every day that these fads don’t work. DEI is a farce, and so is ESG, and companies will eventually figure it out. I know shareholders are starting to pay attention to their investments under ESG scoring.
There are other opinions I write that came from my willingness to question groupthink and fight pluralistic ignorance, and, of course, some want to shy away from any discourse anywhere. I don’t think that’s great leadership. I believe I should stand behind my opinions, and it’s okay if readers know where I stand and disagreement is okay.
This is who I am, and I don’t want to hide it. I’m proud of the companies I’ve improved and my work consulting others. It seems fitting that I’d combine my love of writing with my interest in business and technology as best I know how.
My differences from sometimes mainstream opinion are born out of a willingness to look at results while not giving wide praise to intentions. This sometimes puts me in opposition to groupthink. I generally abhor left-wing ideology and see what it’s done to all major cities where it’s in the majority and applied in full force. I can’t turn a blind eye to the damage it causes, just because it’s popular. I also don’t believe in bringing politics into work. I’m there to do great things with a company, and that’s my focus.
I’ll still keep writing what I think and not worry about someone who can’t get past one of my ideas. I think everyone should stand up and say what they think. Even when it’s not always popular.