I have a Label on the side of this Blog called "The Demise of American Management." There are over 50+ posts about this topic. Over the past five years another demise has taken hold and it's called "identity or equity hiring." Normally processes like this take years to have effects on the systems they impact. In today's environment they are having immediate consequences to the overall quality of the workplace in two areas - education and government.
This past week three college presidents from Harvard, Penn and MIT displayed ignorant and irresponsible behavior while being questioned by congress. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/billionaire-bill-ackman-says-harvard-122930576.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Who hired these people? What Hiring/Venting process (DEI) was used?
I have always been in favor of the best person for the job and providing opportunities for those people in the past who were denied a chance because of societies flaws. With this comes a responsibility to mentor and sufficiently train people so they are equipped with the tools and the know-how to succeed. To circumvent this responsibility causes chaos, poor quality and long-term negative effects for the organization/institution and more importantly the person who was left to fend for themselves in a hostile environment.
Updated December 11,2023 - https://news.yahoo.com/mit-harvard-face-mounting-pressure-165810032.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Updated January 2nd, 2024 - https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/harvard-president-claudine-gay-resigns-amid-plagiarism-claims-106051588
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/09/penn-president-resigns-00130961
This reminded me of a post I wrote in 2007 called " The Hiring Process is the most important process."
Years ago, I was asked by a business friend,
“What do you think is the most important process in a company?
Years ago (1980's), I gave the standard quality response “the most important process that any company has is the process (es) that adds value to the customer.” About fifteen years ago I changed my answer and still believe the “hiring” process is the most important process in the company. Many people have debated me on that answer and there is truth to their arguments. So, if it’s not the most important I say it is the most important “undervalued” process in a company.
We all know most American Management spout employees are the most important assets to a company. Then why are they considered an expense that needs to be reduced to make up for debt or loss of revenue (because it’s easy)? Human Resources don’t carry much weight when it comes to being considered a critical department within an organization. However, when you stop looking through narrow eyes and open yourself to systems thinking (end-to-end), the HR department is at the beginning and the end of an employee's process. HR hires and HR conducts your exit review and papers.
Now, think in terms of process control and understand that most problems occur early on in a process, and they intern cause multiple downstream problems and bottlenecks. Quality Experts and Process Improvement Teams will attack and try to correct all the “symptoms” downstream (often blaming a person and not the system). The process originated by placing employees in jobs they are not qualified for or can no longer do the job as technology increases and more skills are required (just a few examples). Maybe the HR representatives are not qualified or have the tools to do their jobs.
Management owns the hiring system. It is not a worker’s fault if placed in a job where failure is guaranteed. It is not the worker’s fault if a company slashes training and education that is required as new technology is implemented. It is Management’s job to replace the worker if they are not performing and place them in a job where they can take pride of their work (do we really think people want to fail).
I suppose that is why I have always bought Berkshire Stock.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/why-charlie-munger-warren-buffett-204416063.html
I created this Quote back in the early 1980s. One cannot be a Leader without both expressions (Be Humble, Be Confident) working together not apart. Political Leaders especially must lead in this manner for the benefit of all. 
