How to Thrive in the Era of the ‘Supermanager’

This week has seen a flurry of developments that have left the nation reeling. From the investigation into the forced sterilization of Native American women in the 1970s to the trial of a Utah mother accused of murdering her husband, the news has been dominated by stories of wrongdoing, deception, and devastating consequences.

In New Mexico, the state Indian Affairs Department and the Commission on the Status of Women are set to investigate the forced and coerced sterilizations of thousands of Native American women by the Indian Health Service and other providers. The investigation, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, aims to shed light on the atrocities that took place within the state's borders.

"It's important for New Mexico to understand the atrocities that took place within the borders of our state," said state Sen. Linda Lopez, one of the legislation's sponsors. This is not the first state to confront its past, as Vermont launched a truth and reconciliation commission to study forced sterilizations in 2023.

Meanwhile, in Utah, a mother of three is on trial for the murder of her husband. Kouri Richins, 35, faces nearly three dozen counts, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, forgery, mortgage fraud, and insurance fraud. Prosecutors allege that she killed her husband, Eric Richins, by slipping fentanyl into a cocktail that he drank, and that she was deep in debt and killed him for financial gain.

The trial has sent shockwaves through the small mountain town where the family lived, and has raised questions about the true nature of Richins' children's book, "Are You With Me?", which she self-published after her husband's death.

In other news, PacifiCorp has agreed to pay $575 million to resolve the federal government's claims for damages stemming from six wildfires in Oregon and California in 2020 and 2022. The settlement resolves the federal government's claims that PacifiCorp's electrical lines negligently started four fires in Oregon in 2020 and two fires in California in 2020 and 2022.

The money will help restore some of the 290,000 acres of public land that burned and will also help repay the government for the cost of fighting the fires. This settlement is the latest in a series of multimillion-dollar payouts related to the deadly blazes.

As the East Coast prepares for a potentially devastating blizzard, with up to 2 feet of snow expected in some areas, the nation is reminded of the importance of accountability and the need for transparency in the face of adversity.

In the era of the "supermanager", where organizations are eliminating layers of middle management, the stakes are higher than ever. Burnout, productivity, and leadership are all being redefined, and the consequences of failure are severe.

As we navigate this complex landscape, it is clear that the consequences of our actions will be felt for years to come. Whether it is the forced sterilization of Native American women, the murder of a husband, or the devastating impact of wildfires, the need for accountability and transparency has never been more pressing.