The Hidden Casualties of Governance Games in Curaçao
August 30, 2024
I have previously discussed the concept of character assassination, where an opponent's good name and reputation are systematically destroyed across all fronts, leaving them so damaged and discredited that they might as well be dead. However, other types of casualties in the governance games in Curaçao deserve our attention.
Recently, I was invited by a client who shared a troubling story. He had applied for a top position and was deemed the most qualified candidate. However, the minister intervened with a phone call to the recruitment agency consultant. This led to the extension of the hiring process with a headhunting phase. The consultant had a friend who was also in politics with him, and lo and behold, this friend became the new appointee.
We often must consider what happens to the original candidate after such interventions. In this case, the candidate who initially came out on top was left limbo. Questions like "Why wasn't I acceptable?" began to gnaw at him. Without a new job and uncertain future, his career had effectively derailed. He was left to ponder whether to engage in a legal battle. This is a possibility, depending on the situation, but based on my experience, I do not recommend it.
These situations do happen, but we tend to have short memories. Do you remember the case of the CFO for the new CMC hospital? Here, the minister also intervened, stating that there must be a qualified Curaçaoan for the position. Ultimately, the original candidate won the case and was compensated substantially. Another more recent example was the hiring and subsequent dismissal of the CFO of the housing corporation FKP. The minister was adamant from the start that he did not want a "makamba" (a term used locally to refer to Dutch people). Ultimately, the "makamba" was hired but was dismissed, not because of poor performance, but ironically, because of his excellent work.
This is how we destroy much top talent. The consequence is mediocrity, which is reflected in the results.
Miguel Goede
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