Confused Level of Arrogance

I recently had a conversation with a senior executive who mentioned, “If we are acquired by XX they will have to keep our talent? So I began to probe a little more and ask why?
She then went on to say, “Our people are better educated and have always been considered the cream of the crop. When we walk down the streets if you are not part of our team you are simply on the wrong team.” I began to push back and mentioned they might have a different view at this point and maybe we should consider reviewing ourselves in the mirror.

It is this mindset that caused companies like Enron, WorldCom, and Quest to have so much financial difficulty. If you are blind to the fact that the company that is buying you might actually be performing better than you there is a serious problem. After all if we did have the best people than what is our real problem? Is it our products, services, or locations? If the answer is no, the blame falls on the decision making process which goes right back to the PEOPLE.

In business there is room for confidence but little room for arrogance. People today want to be led and given clear direction by someone they trust. Arrogance leads to ignorance and making comments like they would be lucky to have us. The fact of the matter is it is attitudes like this that drive the for sale sign directly into the ground.