Governance | Rise of the Nepo Babies

Rise of the Nepo Babies[1] ? Next in this Governance Series

??One of our long-time readers taught us a new term last week. “Nepo Baby.” OK, so it’s not new to you more hip, ‘net-wise movers and shakers. But, seriously folks, I had never heard that term. Nepotism plus Baby and, voilà! Nepo Baby!

??Upon the briefest reflection, however, the brain reacted, “Yeah! That’s been around forever. And now we have a term for it!” While we don’t see the moniker quite yet in general circulation or in places such as the Oxford or Merriam-Webster dictionaries, one can find it as a recent entry at Urban Dictionary (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nepo+baby), and Collins (https://www.collinsdictionary.com/submission/25416/nepo+baby).

??If you chase these links and others on the web, you will find reactions about or from some who feel insulted by the term, such as Jamie Lee Curtis (whom we all adore – I don’t care. She’s a Nepo Babe), and observations of its application to others including Gwyneth (WHO doesn’t just love Gwinnie, regardless?! Guess maybe there are some who don’t.). Only a matter of time before they stick mic’s in the faces of progeny from the Cyrus, Bieber, and other clans.

??Even WaPo, our “views from the left” National “paper of record” found a spot to use the term with thinly attempted solemnity through its reporting of the sad story of Lisa Marie Presley’s brief, troubled life on earth. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/01/13/lisa-marie-presley-appreciation/.

??The Guardian brings us a compelling piece on Nepo Babies that focuses on multigenerational “stardom” in the entertainment biz. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/dec/22/nepo-babies-what-are-they-and-why-is-gen-z-only-just-discovering-them It reminds us that Nepo Babies always have been with us in “The Business.”

??Come to think of it, centuries of European royals who managed to avoid the guillotine, firing squads and assassinations mastered the art of the Nepo Baby looooong before modern culture. So, no one wonders at multiple generations of Kennedys, Bushes, and Clintons (Hi there, Chelsey!) grasping for political Nepo Baby credibility.

??What struck us is the rapid mutation of the Nepo Baby Omnivirus and its variants to sectors that once were unalterable, impossible-to-breach meritocracies. Where merit, experience, wisdom, and qualifications are vital to the health and welfare of organizations, employees, and to society at large. Sectors where “Earn While You Learn” breeds catastrophic consequences that often lay dormant for years until one uncovers the carnage.

??Long ago and far away, we worked with a large academic medical center in the United States. A faith-based place where legendary scientific research, innovative breakthroughs in health sciences and quaternary surgery were de rigueur at all levels of medical practice, teaching, operations, and Governance. Mostly but not entirely “BS-resistant.” We saw Nepo Babies at work there but cannot recall one who ascended to their respective place in that ecosystem without long, back-breaking work, study, board certifications, and fellowships there and at leading National centers elsewhere. We were proud that we could retain those Nepo Babies rather than their heading off to other places, larger and more visible platforms that promised greater recognition, money, and other earthly rewards.

???When and how did we slip to the place where we apply the Hollywood Nepo Baby standard and its passive acceptance in our Organizations? The eager and/or inattentive embracing of intentional Nepo Baby culture by our boards and HR departments? Our recruiters? By entrenched, autocratic management with little or no accountability?

Are there Nepo Babies in your company? Granted, others in the “family business” may not be blood relatives, but virtual “adopted Nepo Babies” as well. How did they get there? Do you respect them and the credentials they have earned? If so, great. You are blessed, indeed. Do you and your associates seek and value their advice? Does the system protect them? Reward them? Why? What criteria and who evaluates them? Do they justify their position and standing? What demonstrated contributions have they made to justify themselves? Can you survive them? What will you discover once they've moved on?

?Yours for Better Governance,

Ted L. Ramirez ? 2023

[1] With all due respect and acknowledgement to Terminator 3 – Rise of the Machines for inspiring this title.