Status-anxiety at work
I remember this interview with a (brilliant) violinist on
the radio : asked why he had chosen the relative anonymity of playing in a quartet
instead of pursuing a more grandiose solo-career, he answered “I guess I prefer to battle for a collective
cause, if it were only about my own career, I’d feel awkward, I would lack the motivation
“.
What a contrast with the attachment to personal status and the
self-aggrandizing that seem to be the hallmark of successful men in the private
sector. Well, maybe it’s my education or
maybe it’s my twisted character (which bizarrely, really against all proof,
keeps seeing self-doubt as a virtue) , but in any case, it’s with unceasing astonishment
(and abhorrence) that I watch
the displays of this sense of entitlement of the powerful.
“Jamais de ma vie”
a highly ranking director spat out in disgust when the possibility was uttered of
him taking public transport in order to avoid the 2 hours of traffic jam he had to
endure in his classy car. And suggesting
to a CEO that he could take the metro (just 4 stops, especially during rush hour
arguably faster and more reliable than a taxi, but indeed involving mixing with
the hoi polloi), was rewarded with a withering stare, as if the mere suggestion
was a mark of disrespect.
I’ve also watched with astonishment how ruthless these men
of power can be, how quick to launch reprisals against those they suspect of
disrespect. Are they so insecure? Is it because
all pretence to power inevitably implies a deep-seated fear of being challenged?
Is that why power by its very nature demands
and expects submissiveness?
In any case, the anger
of those who presume their authority has been slighted, often seems disproportionate
to the cause. Their vindictiveness does not seem a rational reaction to, for
instance, a threat of the well-functioning of the company. It’s really about a primitive, instinctive
reaction to defend their own challenged authority by violence.
In a contemporary work-context, the violence of course does
not become physical – it’s mostly
limited to firing – a very effective method to remove alleged unruly elements (and
to instil fear-induced respect in those that remain).
Looking at the wider world
In the wider world abuse of power can become much uglier.
This blog does not often comment on current affairs (too much injustice and
suffering out there anyway, and far too many comments swirling about already),
but it’s just that I happened to watch
this American police video of how a minor traffic incident resulted into the arrest
and ultimately the death of a young black woman.
What a nightmare. You’re stopped for failing to signal a lane
change, so the police officer explains. While waiting for the officer to write out the ticket in his car, you light a cigarette, perhaps tapping the wheel with
irritation, perhaps shaking your head. The officer comes back and asks what’s wrong. Since you’re being asked, you somewhat curtly answer you’re indeed a bit annoyed because
in fact you switched lanes precisely to make way for the police car. This reply apparently incenses the police
officer who orders you to extinguish your cigarette. But hey, you know your
rights, this is your car. How unfair,
all this. The situation then escalates to the point that the officer physically
attempts to yank you out of your car and threatens to “light you up” with a taser
gun. “Wow” you say, and you swiftly get out
of your car, complaining loudly. You’re being arrested. “Arrested? Arrested for
what???” you yell in disbelief. Etc.Etc.
I have no idea what
happened afterwards in that prison. But
how can this be considered a lawful arrest in the first place? In
what way did the smoking pose a threat? In what way is curtly expressing (when
asked) an understandable annoyance, a threat?
Frankly, what else can one see in
this but a tragic escalation triggered by a man who felt his authority was
being challenged, a white man who was deeply disturbed by the lack of submissiveness displayed by a young
black woman.
