Jack Welch chairman and CEO of General Electric between 1981 and 2001 increased GE’s value 4000% during his tenure. One key to success—each year he fired the bottom 10% of employees. Great idea!!! Firing the bottom 10% of employees got rid of those who had the most severe personality conflicts. About 20% of people have a personality disorder. Those with personality disorders have three characteristics:
- They make excuses for their behavior
- They blame others for their problems
- They refuse to accept responsibility
By firing 10% of the work force Jack Welch was getting rid of those with the most flagrant personality problems. Expunging these people from the company saved time for the successful employees to grow the company because they didn’t have to deal with those who create the most trouble in a company.
The vast importance of the personality disorder concept mandates several more blogs on the subject.