I'm sure you Workerettes who are football fans have already been following this one (or have had it mentioned to you by fans at the office or at home): New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has officially lost money, a draft pick, and R-E-S-P-E-C-T, as Aretha would sing it.
*sigh*
What does this mean to working women? Well, think about it. Have you ever worked for a company where cheating to get ahead (or lying to make a sale) was not only acceptable, but the status quo? I have.
I've also worked for companies where the leadership were role models in dishonesty and two-faced behavior. The interesting part is that as much as I've heard this sort of behavior blamed on men during my career, in this case, the perpetrators were women.
At what point will people realize that it's just not worth it to try to take what isn't rightfully yours - whether it be money, a sales contact, or coaching signals? For those of us with children, how does this sort of finding affect our ability to parent? In my case, I choose to use it as an example. Hate to say it, because my Ma is a big Pats fan, but Coach, you just became the posterchild for "naughty folks who get caught have to pay consequences - BIG ones!" I wonder, though, how many people will view this more as an example of another phrase: "do what you want, just don't get caught!"
As with my question yesterday as to whether a rapist's apology serves justice, I wonder whether the coach's apology has really saved him any face. I am with NFL commissioner Goodell on the punishment here. Suspending the coach isn't going to hurt him and make a point anywhere near the way this punishment will. I'm not a big fan of punishing the many to make a point to the few, but you have to wonder how much the club allowed or encouraged this behavior. You'd sure wonder it if it was a traditional corporate CEO caught with his pants down (literally or figuratively - your choice).
What will you do - use this situation as an example for staff or children of what not to do? Or of how to get away with what's going on in the corner office where you work? Corporate spying isn't really anything new - from marketing to product development, everyone has their secrets and lots of folks want them. Could this be used as a method to call a supervisor out on the carpet or open up a dialog about what's wrong in the company when it comes to crossing an ethical line? Personally I think so!
On the flip side, what is UP with the whining of Reno Mahe, who says he wants to trade in his NFC championship ring for a Super Bowl ring? Uhhh, wait a second. Has anyone proven that the Pats cheated during that Super Bowl '05 game using signals stolen from the Eagles? Why not be grateful and proud of that NFC ring instead of jaw-jacking about forfeiture? It's one thing to question whether the game was won fair and square; it's another to demand a win by forfeiture seasons later when something like this comes to light.
Just my nickel's worth. Talk amongst yaselves.
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