Sunday 16 January 2011

Big on Bonuses, Short on Humility

Bob Diamond, the CEO of Barclays Bank, recently said in Parliament that he feels we should stop blaming the bankers for our financial crisis. He suggests that we have persecuted them enough, and the public needs to move on.

This is a switch on Karpman's Drama Triangle, from Persecutor to Victim. (The taxpayers have, and continue to do, the Rescuing) ... In order to avoid having to make any apology, or gesture, he simply points the finger back and says "you're persecuting me!"

The true position of those bankers like Diamond is, of course, the Persecutor. In bleeding society dry of its funds, they aren't considering whether their needs are sustainable - or moral. Instead, they continue to "Take It", with the grandiose sense of entitlement that is one of the hallmarks of narcissism.

I will feel much more positive towards bankers when I observe some change in the champagne-charlie-casino-royale largesse, and a more sustainable, socially responsible ethos emerges.

I won't hold my breath....

.