From my column in The Malta Independent this morning
I think the final paragraph, way below, is actually a stand-alone argument which warrants separate discussion.
The self-policing mechanism across all areas of life and work in Malta has never ceased to enthrall me (in a bad way). The truly bright are systematically eliminated by consensus, leaving an average pool of mediocrity in which Mr and Mrs Average are able to hum along comfortably thinking they are the best, while never being challenged.
Real merit, when it appears, is conspired against until it is removed from the equation, and then everybody settles down comfortably again.
This is why Malta, despite its myriad successes, has never managed quite, quite to soar. It’s because, to quote Brutus in an entirely different context:
There is a tide in the affairs of men.
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.
Julius Caesar Act 4, scene 3, 218–224
Such a waste, really: Malta’s idea of meritocracy has never changed much, not in the private sector, nor in the public sector – dumping the mediocre on the heads of those with real merit, who are generally seen as either dispensable or a threat to the status quo, so that the latter seethe in frustration, then explode and leave, while the mediocre are left behind to rule the roost alone, dragging everything down to their level, the only level they can understand and the only one at which they are comfortable.
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That paragraph is where Simon has to start.
43% of the country subscribes.
I disagree, Jozef.
The attitude of attacking meritocracy applies to both sides of the political spectrum. The PN manages it better than the MLP, but it is there as well.
Why do certain Maltese flourish once they move abroad? A few individual tend to return to Malta due to their sense patriotism and gradual detachment from Maltese envy. Once you leave Malta, your sense of patriotism grows gradually and the temptation to return to the island is permamently there.
The problem is that Maltese living abroad tend to slowly forget the strong insular mentality in Malta, the high degree of entitlement and envy, and the culture of ‘lil min taf’.
“Why do certain Maltese flourish once they move abroad?”
The straight and true answer to the question is: because when one migrates to another country he has two choices; either understand from day one that for an eight hours pay he has to give eight hours of work, or, learn quickly how to manipulate the welfare system until the system catches up with him.
There is no doubt that there are many unsuccessful Maltese who chose to manipulate the system by obtaining doctors’ certificates claiming chronic back pain which is hard to diagnose/prove.
So much so that this abuse was so chronic that the Workman’s Compensation Board has been revised a number of times to counter the problem (not only by Maltese, to be fair) and the Board has a number of investigators who actually follow suspected fraud cases and film claimants trying to catch them doing work not possibly done by anyone suffering from a bad back. Snow shovelling, climbing ladders and carrying heavy materials invariably give a fraudster away.
And you’re telling me.
Fact is, Labour will insist on rendering the distortion of merit a legitimate criterion. Theirs is the cynical approach to individual potential. One wonders which of the two is the real cause, or better whether they’re contaminated or impose to control.
Labour are different in that they have a problem with the physical size and relative implications of this place. They’re either delusional or depressed. Claustrophobic.
Il-‘wicc ta’ Nazzjonalist’ tfisser min gharaf id-dilemma u tghallem jaqbizha.
Muscat’s stint in Brussels fooled those gullible enough to think Labour’s days of the Gemahariya over.
So true. I think every young Maltese person should go for a stint abroad, be it studying or working experience.
It would be a good reality check for anyone.
First of all, you experience living on your own without mummy and daddy’s help. Secondly, whatever you aim to achieve you need to work for.
In a country where no connections are available, you must prove yourself and…well yes, DELIVER:)
Amen!
I don’t know where to start. This is widespread even in the private sector, maybe even more so.
Certain people consider their positions as fiefdoms and their subordinates have to either suck up to them or live in perpetual frustration until they finally leave for the cycle to begin all over again somewhere else.
The preferred method of their management is divide and rule, cultivating a system rife with gakbini, and poxtijiet motivated by envy maneuvering against their peers.
Didn’t we have a proper system of meritocracy under the Nationalist government?
There must have been some fundamental system based on meritocracy.
Just compare the ones who have been replaced/forced to resign etc, with Labour replacements! There is no better proof.
“This is why Malta, despite its myriad successes, has never managed quite, quite to soar.”
Agreed – my own observation. Any talent is usually wasted….
Good point, Mel.
I have had a business here since 1996. Being from abroad, I expected excellence and high achievement from my local people.
The phrase most uttered from them was ‘that’ll do’.
Daphne is so correct,. It’s very difficult to soar when your people are not willing, or don’t care, to excell.
Probably my fault. Not being able to instill a winning spirit into a culture that has no interest in excellence.
Unfortunately this is happening through all aspects, private and public. I, for one, have been the pawn in a game through the cultural aspect. Mediocrity reigns and my insight tells me that things will probably take a twist, in which direction I don’t know.
That paragraph is the only real explanation why Dr. Gonzi – not the PN – lost the last election.
The PN didn’t lose the election as much as the PL didn’t win it. It was a fight of mediocrity against brilliance, of ignorance against non-ignorance (for want of a good term).
Gonzi was, is and shall always be brilliant because brilliance is not something which one “learns”. One cannot be bred to be “brilliant”. Gonzi’s eloquence, guts, morals, unwavering commitment to excellence and intelligence have signed his own death warrant, ironically enough. The PL is showering praise on Gonzi now that he is no longer a threat. However, I would bet my last cent that Joseph Muscat would bend over backwards and kiss the ground to have an iota of Gonzi’s sheer brilliance.
The majority (it would seem) of the Maltese do not recognise excellence and brilliance because they excel at being mediocre. Lest I be considered elitist, I hasten to add that mine is merely a reflection which has matured with the passage of time. How else can we explain, for example, the people’s rejection of the City Gate Project. This rejection was and is symptomatic of how the Maltese view their country as a whole and who they believe should be given chief jobs/projects in Malta. How can we (as a people) compare Renzo Piano with any Maltese or other professional (for that matter) and keep a straight face and actually mean it? (assuming that we actually know who he is).
Hence, the only REAL reason underlying the electoral result is that people were tired of seeing things done well. They were tired of seeing our natural heritage being really taken care of, our capital city waking up, our countryside being protected better than ever and our environment finally receiving awards (blue flag beaches, cleanest sea in Europe and so on). People just want to be undisciplined and mediocre. Indeed, the slogan “Malta Taghna Lkoll” smacks of “kulhadd jaghmel li jrid”.
It is of course true that the PN did not communicate well with the people, that Gonzi had never the time to take care of the party since he became prime minister straight away and so on. However, if the voters really analysed things well, if they were not so superficial as to stop at the slogan “Malta Taghna Lkoll” and be fooled by vain promises, Joseph Muscat would not have stood a chance.
Well, it is said that a bad workman quarrels with his tools and that bad politicians quarrel with their voters. However, as you frequently point out, Malta is no ordinary place. The normal rules of nature do not apply here. And I really believe that whilst (as already said) the PN did have its shortcomings, these shortcomings would (and should) have faded into oblivion when compared to the glaring emptiness of the PL and the sheer brilliance of Lawrence Gonzi and the government record of the last five years.
So, succinctly put, I cannot agree with you more.
The PN loss amounts to ‘too much of a good thing – is bad’.
Well said. I would also add that Gonzi’s best decisions did have a short-term cost but so many long-term advantages.
The recognition of the excellence of such decisions in the first place and of the long-term advantages was also sorely lacking.
Very well put. My feelings exactly. Malta lost its greatest asset, Gonzi. Perhaps it’s true that a nation gets what it deserves
So true. I totally agree with your view.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-05-16/opinions/it-was-inevitable-1608122371/
By the way, the IMF report proves that Dr. Gonzi was getting it right. And only brilliance could ensure stolid economic performance in the worst recession to hit the planet in the past 3000 years or so.
Wanna bet that some Labour stalwarts will hold that the IMF report was quite positive because we have a Labour government?
Did you watch Alfred Mifsud on the evening TVM news bulletin?
He did not mention the previous government but could not do other than praise and confirm the ‘finanzi fis-sod’ which Dr. Gonzi worked so hard for. He did it with alot of stammering but he had nowhere to hide.
You should have this article pinned to the top for a while.
Just having a good look as josephmuscat.com’s cabinet is enough to prove your point.
The only problem is that the whole parliamentary group is mediocre at best with a good dash of below average individuals so really Joseph had his hands tied. But then again that is what the people voted for and that is what they got. Only we are lumped with their crass mediocrity.
MEDIOCRITY AT ITS BEST, THE WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM.
Speaking from experience, people outside Malta are hired for their talents and when they prove themselves, they are promoted, given raisesn and perks or bonuses, because no employer wants to lose a good employee.
It works in Malta when the firm is foreign and the manager hiring employees is also foreign.
When the set-up is all Maltese, then it’s the family name or the political party or other connections and external influences which determine the selection.
This accounts for the inadequate standards of management in both the private sector and even more so, in the public sector.
Maltese flourish outside Malta as they, like everyone else, are treated on their own merits. I have worked for over twenty years in Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland and recently on the other side of the Atlantic.
I have seen much greater respect for colleagues and managers and unlike in Malta people are pleased with the success or promotion of their colleagues.
In Malta jealousy in the workplace reigns supreme. In Malta many think that just degrees and seniority justify advancement and salary increases and forget all about attitude, professionalism, loyalty, teamwork etc. Outside Malta these values are key considerations.
So sad. So true. Mediocrity rules the day here.