Okay, so we all know that I am NOT by any means a history major. But even I managed to pick up a few things while sleeping/doodling/passing notes in history class. Mainly, that conquistadors were BAD. Right? These are people that came from another country (usually Spain, duh), and they murdered, raped, and pillaged their way through whatever unfortunate shore they happened to land on and take a liking to.
So my Dilbert-like management, in all their infinite wisdom, decided to use the example of Hernando Cortez as a model for successful sales. For reals, y'all. They forwarded an email that talked about how when Cortez landed in Mexico, he commanded his men to burn their own ships, thereby eliminating any chance of their retreat. It was succeed or die, and if they were to sail back to Spain it would have to be in the enemy's ships. Ok, if you're a conquistador, and your job is to, uh, kill people, take their stuff, and succeed at all costs, that's an ok model. However, if you're a middle-aged, technologically disinclined software salesman, is that really an ok example? Is it appropriate to use that as a motivator, ever? Regardless of the down economy and lack of pipeline, is that acceptable?
Cortez' history is debatable. Some people extoll his virtues as a leader and conquerer, other say he committed many atrocities against the indigenous people of Mexico, and was one of the first to import thousands of African slaves onto this continent.
I, personally, think it's ridiculous and as my dear friend J said to me, a very "WASP-centric view of the world" to use that as any kind of positive example.
Another dear friend/coworker J said, rather hilariously, that next week when he arrives at the customer site with our sales management and CEO, he's going to burn the rental car they drove in just to be a team player. At least I got a good laugh out of that one.
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