I’ve been around long enough to see multiple versions of Nike’s SLT come and go. This one is easily the worst. Even with natural turnover over the years, I’ve never seen a group this ineffective or directionless. There’s no real vision, no sense of how to move the company forward. Even the person at the top seems to be winging it. Hard to see how this ends well. The company feels beyond saving.
8 replies (most recent on top)
@m7 that's the Nike way unfortunately. The culture does not promote risk taking.. Which stifles innovation and growth. Specially never be the bearer of bad news or they'll shoot the messenger (you) . Most managers even VPs are in it not to solve the hard problems but to talk and network. The amount of empty BS that many drs, snr drs and even VPs spout would be amazing if it weren't so demoralizing. The people who go up are not the ones who perform and execute but who can network most effectively. I hope LT realizes this poor culture will be the downfall of Nike. The many rants on this site against H1B visa holders are a mere symptom of this malaise. Remember the clueless hire the incompetent to make themselves look good.
@ca That's been my experience as well. I've been punished for calling out inefficiencies, waste and unnecessary busy work. Too many people are making a career out of making pretty power points and are actively threatened by anything that eliminates the need for dozens of presentation reviews and approvals. So I gave up trying to make a meaningful difference and just do the things narrowly and don't even think about going above and beyond anymore. My stress level and enjoyment have gone way up after I adjusted my expectations way down.
@bp bro, I tried to make better the last 2 1/2. But there was so much pushback, I mostly. Some of my reports understood what I was trying to, and some did get better. But the org, it does the wrong thing in purpose I can't fight that ¯_(ツ)_/¯. Or rather it's not worth it. I get paid enough not to be too opinionated and just work less.
Worst ever? As in worst than JD and HON. think not.
@bh self preservation bro.
Nikes culture is go along to get along as opposed to show up to win the game everyday as the stated expectation. I hope it changes but senior directors and VPs are going to have to be pushed to change it as most are just biding time until things get magically better.
@az why should anyone care about performing their best for a company that doesn't actually care about its workers? no company does, really.
It doesn’t help that some of the highest paid people are just waiting out their retirement with no real desire to better their teams, the work or the company as a whole.