Elon Musk's cruel use of a private sector management tool to intimidate federal employees blew up in his face. If only Democrats adequately capitalized on the blunder.
Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville recently advised Democrats to beat a strategic retreat and “play possum.”
I couldn't agree more.
Not only because Republicans, as Carville argues, are doing a terrific job of creating chaos voters loathe.
But also because Democrats easily fall into the trap of being the party that runs around with their hair on fire, showing Americans they don't understand how the private sector works.
Take the request by Elon Musk that federal employees list five things they did the previous week.
Though not common in the corporate world, some managers use this technique when taking over a division or assuming a new role.
Think of this request as a tool, like a screwdriver. There's a right way to use a screwdriver and the wrong way.
Fastening a screw to a board is an appropriate use for that tool.
However, stabbing someone with a screwdriver is both cruel and the incorrect use of said tool.
It was the toxic use of this tool that was wrong.
I have answered such requests in my corporate career. It usually took me about a minute to do.
And I have spoken with a half dozen friends who worked for large corporations. They said some managers ask for a weekly list of activities performed.
Instead of condemning the mean-spirited intent of this particular management tool wielded by Musk, Democrats attacked the tool, showing how out of touch they are with the private sector.
Some Democratic leaders said it was “unheard of.”
Others complained that government employees spent hours figuring out how to answer it. Those I surveyed were shocked that this was the first time anyone received such a request. Is no one in the federal government preparing weekly activity lists?
Yet threatening employees with the task, giving a completely unreasonable timeline, and stating that the purpose of the list was to weed out slackers is toxic and destructive, i.e., stabbing someone with a screwdriver.
What should Democrats have done?
Democrats should have pointed out that Elon Musk took a corporate tool used by management in the private sector and weaponized it against public sector employees.
Weaponizing that tool and sending it out with a threat to people who do not report to you on a ludicrous timeline is a hallmark of bad management.
It sends the message that employees are untrustworthy, that their answers will be used against them, and that management, too, cannot be trusted.
It crushes morale and makes it difficult to recruit new talent. It also encourages your most talented employees to leave.
By attacking the tool itself, Democrats showed they understand very little of how corporate America works. It fuels the trope that government employees are part of the “coddled class.”
For some of my corporate colleagues, the complaints that the request was burdensome and oppressive actually garnered some sympathy for Mr. Musk and what he is up against. Perhaps this is exactly what Mr. Musk was hoping for.
Who should Democrats look to for leadership?
As Carville points out, the Democratic Party has no leader. This is where Ken Martin, the new chair of the Democratic National Committee, could shine.
\https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Czb8oFFzo
Martin should have called a half dozen sources who work in management at Fortune 500 companies and asked about this tool and how it's used.
He could then get in front of the issue by validating the tool (and showing empathy to workers in the private sector) but attacking how it was used. The goal is to prevent Democrats from stumbling all over themselves.
Martin should surround himself with people with real-world experience. The DNC staff of over 600 people should include those who started a company, someone with a military background, someone from a farm, a gun owner, someone who is pro-life, and some people who have worked at companies in the private sector, as that is where almost 70% of American workers are employed.
I've examined the DNC list, and there wasn't a single person who had experience in management at a publicly traded company. Nor do congressional staffers have this experience. Martin needs to recognize that he is operating in an experience desert and reach out to those who have lived that life. And get in front of the party.
Otherwise, Democrats are better off playing possum, as Carville suggests.
