What’s Wrong With the American Worker?

She and he have been called lazy, greedy, and unproductive. They have been accused of producing inferior products, caring about no one but themselves, and padding contracts and expense accounts to “grab what they can” from the company.

If this is true, we’re in real trouble. If it’s not, then I have to ask, “What is the problem?” Why have U.S. companies fallen behind in global competition?

Why, for example, can’t American auto makers build cars that put the competition to shame? After all, they invented the automobile in the first place.

In consulting with a wide variety of businesses, over the past two decades, I’ve observed similarities in almost every company I’ve helped, regardless of size, industry, or geographic location.

What I found to be the cause is that most company’s problems typically originates at the top and flow downward from there.

The answer to, “What happened to the American worker,” is they have lost their leadership.

In recent years we have seen corporate executives lie, cheat, and steal to cover their respective butts.

We have seen the likes of Bernie Madoff and Tyco’s Dennis Kozlowski, at the very least low-life criminals, do whatever they pleased without the slightest concern for its effect on the company, its employees,  shareholders, or customers.

Mid level managers are told to “fudge the numbers” or risk losing their jobs. The term “Teflon Man” has been given to more than one corporate manager, describing a characteristic of “not letting anything stick to them.” “Pass the buck” has become an integral part of management’s skill set in all-too-many companies.

Pharmaceutical companies are bribing doctors to promote their products. For example, Pfizer, recently fined for their illegal marketing practices, invited doctors to consultant meetings at resort locations, paying their expenses and providing perks. “They were entertained with golf, massages, and other activities,” said Mike Loucks, the U.S. attorney in Massachusetts.

As if that were not absurd enough, Wall Street’s response to the record breaking fine was minimal, as Les Funtleyder, analyst at Miller Tabak & Co. pointed out, “You can tell by the lack of stock market response that the market had looked at this as the cost of doing business.”

Is this what we have become? Is this the new America? Is this what we want to leave as our legacy to future generations?

Will the early years of the twenty-first century in America go down in history as the “dark era,” a time when lying, cheating and scamming were acceptable practices and the buck was passed to any scapegoat one could find?

I don’t think so.

It’s time we stopped blaming the American worker, or anyone else for that matter, and began taking personal responsibility for all our actions.

It’s time we reclaimed our integrity and, whatever the consequences, held our ground for what is right.

It’s time we returned to the simple premise of:

• Do the right thing.
• Tell the truth — always.
• Treat people fairly.
• Deliver a quality product or service.
• - Make an honest profit.

Happy Labor Day