No, I Will Not “Give You A Call”

I have a new workplace pet peeve. It’s when people send me a note asking me to give them a call. Call me petty, but hear me out. That is a way of passing off accountability. Now, their “talk to Jessica” item is off their to do list and I’ve just added “call that person” to my to do list. Instead of taking the responsibility to convey the message directly, they push it onto the recipient. There’s an argument that they don’t want to interrupt or bother the other person, but for me at least, it creates anxiety. Now I’m worried that something is wrong. AND my to do list just got longer.??

I digress.??

Speaking of passing off accountability, the recent spat between CrowdStrike and Delta Air Lines over a massive flight disruption shows how things can go south and the blame game that follows.?

It all started with a global outage caused by a botched software update from CrowdStrike, affecting everything from banks to airlines. Delta Air Lines took the hardest hit, with over 5,000 flight cancellations and a jaw-dropping $500 million in losses. They let the media know it "wasn't on them" it was on CrowdStrike.

CrowdStrike quickly fired back, saying they weren’t solely to blame for Delta’s meltdown. In a pointed letter, CrowdStrike's attorney Michael Carlinsky highlighted their prompt response and transparency, suggesting Delta's prolonged struggles were due to more than just their software glitch. Other affected companies, including rival airlines, managed to recover in days, while Delta floundered for over a week.?

LinkedIn has been buzzing with reactions. Leslie Josephs, an airline reporter at CNBC, shared her take:?

Leslie Josephs?

“CrowdStrike is firing back at Delta Air Lines, saying it's not to blame for the carrier's more than 5,000 flight cancellations in the wake of a global system outage of Windows-based platforms.?

The outage, which also affected banking, shipping, and healthcare industries, was sparked after a botched software update from CrowdStrike. Delta had an outsize number of disruptions versus competitors, and CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC last week that the carrier has "no choice" but to seek damages from CrowdStrike and Microsoft. The widespread cancellations, which affected tens of thousands of travelers at the height of summer, cost Delta ~$500M, Bastian said last week.”?

CrowdStrike’s position is clear: they acknowledged the initial fault but emphasized their quick actions and offers of help, which they say were ignored by Delta. This paints a picture of a company ready to take responsibility and assist, only to be shut out.?

The fallout from this debacle is huge. Estimates suggest that the total damages from the outage could top $5 billion among Fortune 500 companies, with most of it going uninsured. This underscores the need for solid contingency plans and transparent communication strategies to manage such crises.?

There are valuable lessons to be learned here:?

1. Transparency and Swift Action: CrowdStrike’s immediate acknowledgment and offer of assistance show the importance of being upfront and proactive during a crisis.?

1. Effective Communication: The communication breakdown between CrowdStrike and Delta underscores the critical need for clear, open channels during a crisis. Keeping everyone informed can drastically reduce the fallout.?

1. Continuous Improvement: Delta’s internal review to learn from the incident highlights the importance of constant evolution and improvement in handling crises.?

This clash between CrowdStrike and Delta is a stark reminder that accountability is about more than just admitting fault. It's about showing a commitment to resolving issues and learning from them. As CrowdStrike’s CEO George Kurtz says, businesses must "take responsibility for their actions—swiftly, transparently, and constructively" to build trust and integrity.?

Elsewhere In Culture?

Dell's recent memo announcing sweeping layoffs underscores a stark reality: the company is slashing jobs to streamline operations and bolster its AI capabilities. The memo, obtained by Business Insider, is laden with corporate jargon about "modernization" and "winning big," yet it dances around the brutal truth—tens of thousands of employees are being shown the door. This reorganization, framed as a move to enhance efficiency and focus on customer engagement, is a thinly veiled attempt to cut costs and reshape the company’s workforce under the guise of preparing for an AI-driven future.?

What’s particularly galling is Dell's evasive language. The memo buries the news of layoffs beneath layers of optimistic rhetoric about "reprioritizing where we invest," barely acknowledging the human toll of these decisions. This lack of transparency raises serious questions about the company’s leadership and its commitment to its workforce. By glossing over the harsh impact on employees and focusing on lofty future goals, Dell seems more concerned with its bottom line than with the livelihoods of its workers. It's a cold, calculated move that exposes the often ruthless nature of corporate restructuring.?

The wave of media layoffs not only highlights the industry's financial struggles but also underscores significant challenges in workplace culture. As companies like the Tampa Bay Times and Axios slash their workforces, the impact on employee morale and organizational cohesion cannot be ignored. A culture of uncertainty and instability takes root when employees see their colleagues being let go, fostering an environment of fear and distrust. This can severely undermine productivity and engagement, as remaining staff may feel demotivated and anxious about their future.?

The media industry's shift towards premium products and new business models necessitates a cultural transformation. Companies need to cultivate a culture of innovation and agility, encouraging employees to embrace new roles and adapt to changing demands. Leaders must focus on transparent communication and support systems to navigate these transitions. By fostering a resilient and adaptive workplace culture, media organizations can better equip their teams to handle the evolving landscape, ensuring that employees feel valued and integral to the company's mission despite the turbulence. This cultural shift is crucial for maintaining a motivated workforce capable of driving the company's success in a challenging market.?