Group Solidarity

How often do you see the following group loyalties in the workplace?

1. Women or men automatically backing a candidate for a promotion simply because that person is of the same sex and not because the person is the best individual for the job?


2. The same manner of backing as above but because of racial or ethnic solidarity?

Can we pause briefly and acknowledge the unethical nature of that behavior without parsing the definition of "best individual?"

Stipulate that the qualifications are "DNA evidence caliber" clear; that the candidate from another group is indeed the best qualified, hands down. How can it make sense to continue to voice support for anything other than selecting the best person without inviting the erosion of the entire concept of merit?

I mention this because, sadly, such solidarity is alive and well out there.