Individuals, Personality, History.

The Backstory. Vladimir Vetrov

Few people have heard of Vladimir Vetrov. Vladimir was a senior KGB official executed for treason on the 23rd of January, 1985. Before he died, he transferred crucial intelligence to the French, who relayed the information to the Americans. These documents became known as "The Farewell Dossier," some claim the information in them was crucial in turning the Cold War in America's favor.

I will not discuss whether he was a traitor to his country; it is irrelevant to this brief article. However, I will borrow a few quotes from the book.

Critical Factors Influencing an Individual's Behavior.

First, I will discuss the role of personality, personal, and career happiness in a person's behavior while working for an organization. On page 355 of Sergei Kostin's book, "Farewell: The Greatest Spy Story of the Twentieth Century," I quote:

Summarizing the personality traits of prominent recruitment targets, a CIA method document describes three types of potential traitors: The adventurer. He aspires to a more important role than the one he has and more in line with the abilities he attributes to himself: he wants to reach maximum success by any means. The avenger. He tries to respond to humiliations he believes he is subjected to, by punishing isolated individuals or society. The hero-martyr. He strives to untangle the complex web of his personal problems.

Vladimir Vetrov combined all three traits.

1. He believed he deserved a better role in the KGB. When he returned to the USSR (it was still the USSR then), his career stalled, and he believed he should have a more senior role. In addition, when the KGB posted him to Paris and Canada, he lived a lavish life. The lifestyle of the West attracted him.
2. The KGB infuriated him. Apart from his stalling career, he believed the organization was corrupt and required redemption. In his perception, he wanted to drive reform in the KGB but did not want to betray Russia.
3. His marital life deteriorated. Both he and his wife were adulterous and remained in the marriage only for their son.

Combine all three factors, and you create an explosive cocktail.

What is the Relevance to an Organization?

Most of us will agree on the importance of a person's personality on their performance and organizational fit. Some may wish to read articles to convince themselves of this, so I am appending a few links at the end. We often quote the dictum, 'hire for attitude, train for skills.' This philosophy is critical; however, no one should believe that hiring for attitude only makes it possible to recruit people without the requisite skills and train them for the job. The statement should serve as a guide: all things being equal, or nearly equal, hire a person with the better attitude.

Attitude is one aspect of a person's composite personality. Background, critical thinking ability, family issues, etc., are all important. Again, probing too much will place the recruiter and organization on a slippery path. On the one hand, such information may be helpful, but excessive inquisitiveness will jeopardize an organization's reputation and may damage the recruiter's reputation. No straightforward solutions exist; therefore, every organization must train its people on the best hiring techniques and hope that the recruiter possesses maturity and wisdom.

Organizations have long lives. In comparison, people who work in them have short tenures. Also, most people only give some relevant information to a colleague who takes over from them. Information gaps exist, some because of genuine omission and others because of commission. It behooves every team leader to understand their team members, bosses, and peer group and using the information responsibly. Most of us want promotions and bigger pay raises than our colleagues; therefore, the risk of someone misusing the information for political purposes always exists and always will.

A person's personality determines if they fit into the group. If teams do not believe someone fits their subconscious and collective values, they ostracize the unfortunate individual. "X is not one of us" is a phrase used more often than we care to admit. The ostracized individual may move to another team organization or retaliate in ways that are impossible to predict.

"Farewell" is not explicit about if Vladimir Vetrov's colleagues ostracized him, but he may have felt he did not 'fit in' when he returned to the Soviet Union.

?Humans are Emotional Creatures.

I will conclude this section with another quote from "Farewell," page 354.

Two categories of individuals deserve attention. First, there are those who are not happy at work, thinking their professional accomplishments are not appreciated. Then, there are those going through a crisis, in particular in their family relationships, causing stress and psychological conflicts.

People often say, "X should have used logic." Unless it concerns us, we forget we are creatures of emotion. Our emotional state dictates our behavior and thought process.

What is the quick lesson here? Know your people and ignore damaging signs of your (and the organization's) peril.

What impact does an individual have on events? Leadership matters. In a lecture by Joseph Nye on "The Great Courses," he mentioned that inept leadership was a vital factor leading to World War I. The incompetent and reckless leadership we witness today pushes us to the brink of the abyss . Individuals and their actions matter.

The Role of an Individual in Shaping Events.

Historical research often focuses on kings, queens, political and other leaders, and the cosmos will forgive us if many of us believe that these colossuses move the needle of history, indeed that they shape history. Nothing is that simple in life.

I am borrowing a quote from location 155 (yes, I have a Kindle edition) of "Farewell."

The actions of a single person with access to the secrets of a major power have the potential to change the course of history.

I read a fascinating essay, "The Role of The Individual in History," by a Russian philosopher, George Plekhanov. He published the essay in 1898 and analyzed examples from Europe. However, the issues he raises are pertinent worldwide.

In 1869, Otto von Bismarck said in the North German Reichstag, and I quote.

Gentlemen, we can neither ignore the history of the past nor create the future. I would like to warn you against the mistake that people make that causes people to advance their clocks, thinking they are hastening the passage of time. My influence on the events I took advantage of is usually exaggerated; but it would never occur to anyone that I should make history.

Otto von Bismarck is downplaying his role in creating Germany, but he was indeed the right man in the right place and time for the job.

Indians and the British often give Robert Clive sole credit for creating the British Raj. However, after Aurangzeb's death, the political climate in 'North India' was in flux. As the Mughal Empire waned, the Nawabs of distant provinces pulled away. The role of tax collectors became more critical. The Nawab of Bengal, Alaverdi Khan, died, paving the way for Siraj-ud Daulah to take charge. Finally, the Jagat Seth family was disturbed by him, and when the British sailed to Calcutta to avenge his attack on Fort William, the Jagat Seth family brokered a deal with Clive and Mir Jaffer.

Without this set of circumstances, the East India Company may not have become the pre-eminent power in India, and Clive may have returned to England as a mid-level manager.

However, Clive possessed the skills and temperament for the job. In addition, he was ambitious, ruthless, greedy, and scurrilous. He had, as some say, what it took to get the job done and move history's needle.

The combination of circumstances and a person's traits can influence events, which then change the tide. I will quote from George Plekhanov.

...by virtue of particular traits of their character individuals can influence the fate of society. Sometimes this influence is very considerable; but the possibility of exercising this influence, are determined by the form of organization of society, by the relation of forces within it. The character of an individual is a "factor" in social developments only where, when, and to the extent that social relations permit it to be such. We may be told that the extent of personal influence may also be determined by the talents of the individual. We agree. But the individual can display his talents only when he occupies the position in society necessary for this.

He makes several excellent points:

1. Individuals with the proper character and skills can influence society.
2. The prevailing circumstances and forces will determine the extent of this influence and affect their degrees of freedom.
3. The individual must be in the correct position to influence events. People often mistake this to assume the individual must be in positions of power. Vladimir Vetrov was not in a position of power. However, he had access to vital documents.

Concluding Points

I want to conclude this essay by repeating a few points.

1. An individual's personality, personal, and career stresses affect their emotional state. These factors will determine how the individual will behave. It behooves leaders and colleagues to remain vigilant to spot disturbing signals.
2. An individual with the proper skills and attitudes can influence society or an organization. However, this person must be in the correct place to exercise influence.
3. The forces and circumstances of society/an organization will constrain this individual’s degrees of freedom.

Links

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191308506270011

https://www.floridatechonline.com/blog/business/how-the-big-five-personality-traits-influence-work-behavior/

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00631/full

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-world-in-disarray-a-concern-about-the-future/article68080518.ece?utm_source=international&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&pnespid=rqJ2FT8bJb8W1ueQqDmuGZ3W5xitCMF8Ne7tnek1tx9m1w0hPRc.7fS8YvV_kVezWEcyuCKN#:~:text=Growing%20chaos%2C%20an%20absent%20leadership,of%20peace%20across%20many%20regions .

https://bit.ly/3xU0wsR

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