Of the hundreds of people I have worked with, some of them very difficult, I have only truly disliked two. Not so much for their personalities but for the fact that they infected the whole work environment with destructive and negative behaviour. One was an incompetent bully of a news editor on a weekly PC magazine; the other was the head of policy at ICANN until yesterday.
I recognise that it is extremely bad form to attack former work colleagues. And in a way I wish this news had come out six months down the line so there was a much bigger gap between my leaving ICANN and this post. For those offended, I can only apologise. But I feel an odd sense of duty to highlight this moment as it has a very real, positive impact on the Internet itself. When, in six months’ time, everyone is much happier about the process used to decide vital policies for the global Internet, you will be able to track it back to this day.
I could write a whole book about the malignant impact this one person had on the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. I could produce any number of hundreds of venomous emails. I could name the people that were forced out or fled this person’s malicious self-service. I could point to all the positive plans and ideas killed out of an overwhelming desire for control. Or highlight the various mechanisms used to bypass, undermine or infuriate people that did not conform to one individual’s personal agenda. All of it was unnecessary; all of it made the organisation weaker. But the glorious news is that it no longer matters.
I have no idea why it took so long but all credit to ICANN’s new CEO Rod Beckstrom who will now be able to observe Denise Michel’s particular talents up close as she moves to becoming his advisor: Rod even had the good grace to grant a face-saving exit.
It now falls to David Olive to rebuild the policy structures in place. He has a good team underneath him. He will need to infuse a new culture of positive collaboration both within and outside the company. I wish him all the luck in the world.
The Internet has become a better place today.
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I have heard similar sentiments from others. But isn’t her becoming Rod’s personal advisor likely to magnify her influence?
I am still afraid of her.
a.
@Antony: Rod is his own man. I don’t how long Denise will serve as his advisor but if in that time she provides him with workable advice, I have no doubt it will be carefully considered.
Hi Kieren,
I find this piece totally incorrect and inappropriate. In any public role, and particularly at ICANN, there are people who are supporters and detractors. I’m sure there were people who would comment positively and negatively about your tenure at ICANN (as on mine) – but they chose not to. Sorry you let your personal views outweigh professionalism.
@Doug: Yes, I agree with you. It is unprofessional and I think people have every right to be annoyed and disappointed with me for posting it.
I was still in two minds whether to publish or delete when I hit submit. I think my rationale is that I did not disclose or highlight the appalling and destructive behaviour by this individual that I saw while working for the organization, because it risked causing broader harm.
Now they no longer hold that position, I felt relieved of my obligation to stay quiet.
I also considered the fact that publishing such a critical post about an individual would cause others that I hold in high regard – yourself included – to think badly of me, and I weighed that up against my conscience, and ultimately decided to post it.
So, my apologies: it was something I felt I had to do, although I wish that wasn’t the case.
Dear K :
I have the opportunity to share some thoughts with you in many ICANN Meetings and I learnt to consider you as a significant thinker and operator in this brave new world where ICANN navigates.
Actually, I had the opportunity to tell you personally that your strenght and eagerness for new challenges make me regret myself for the loss of these characteristics that the years took off from me. That made me think about what could I get in exchange of that loss.
After some thoughts I came to the obvious answer : youth and strenght are a a valuable asset when they may lead you to the wisdom that experience and season can add to your profile.
Unfortunately, at the moment I ought to tell you that your lack of experience, youth and natural expontainity seems to have led you to a wrong turn.
I hope your inner wisdom and natural skills might use this event to improve the excpetional human being I´d like to call a friend.
all the best
Jorge
Hi Kieren,
Jorge has echoed my own thoughts and I find it surprising that you have taken this approach. As Doug says, anyone in a public role will have supporters and detractors.
However, years of experience has led me to conclude that sharing your personal views in this way is more likely to reflect adversely on you, rather than on the person you seek to criticise.
Kind Regards,
Lesley
Thank you Jorge and Lesley for you thoughts.
Yes, I think you’re right, it does reflect badly on me. But I knew that was an inevitable consequence of publicly highlighting some unpleasant realities.
It would certainly have been easier and possibly wiser to let it go and draw comfort from the fact that the destructive influence had been extracted. But for some reason when I reflected on the impact of the years of continous abuse of power, I felt it would be more cowardly to say nothing.
I don’t expect you to agree with me, but there at least is my explanation.
Hi Kieren, Jorge and all,
I think there are critical moments in everybody’s life (professional, public etc.) when you are scandalised about events, developments or people — and you don’t know what to do: being wise (as Jorge suggested), silent or courageous – what may be considered as unwise … I can understand Kieren’s feelings and dilemma and don’t know whether I would have chosen wisdom or courage (not having the privilege of youth any more) at Kieren’s place? I think Kieren had the self-forgotten courage to express what many people in the community observed and felt … And this delicate decision deserves respect as well.
Dear Kieren:
I was very saddeded to read this post. The best that can be said is that it is disgraceful.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
@Nick: I did ponder whether it would be wise to post what I did.
That’s not the case with the wisdom of you commenting here in the way you have. If you want it removed, along with any responses, please just ask, no more said about it.
I’m disappointed that the comments here have mostly turned on Kieran’s deciding to say something, instead of focusing on the validity of his assertions.
If what Kieren says is true (or even if a portion of what he says is true), then this concerns a malfunction in an important organization that operates for the benefit of the public, which is surely has more weight than the comparatively narrow question of “professionalism.” In this respect I am reminded of accusations of misbehavior by the police, and the reluctance of fellow police officers to criticize another’s conduct, even when it might be reprehensible.
Surely a more responsible approach would be to conduct some sort of inquiry into whether the charges are true, and either publicly exonerate the individual if false, or if true, to make changes to the organizational culture that allowed such a thing to flourish.
In the U.S., there are numerous state and federal laws to protect “whistleblowers,” precisely because organizations feel the need to protect themselves, even at the cost of serious consequences to the public (think tobacco, think pollution). And in every case I know of, the whistleblower has made accusations public in full recognition of the likely cost to him or her personally. In the sober light of day, after emotions have cooled, time and again we have decided that the public interest demands that we listen to the messenger instead of shooting him.
Antony