The "GM salute" is a symbolic gesture of avoiding responsibility for problems within the company. The "GM salute" refers to a specific non-verbal behavior observed at General Motors (GM), where employees would cross their arms and point outward, indicating that responsibility for a problem belonged to someone else, not them. This, along with the "GM nod," where employees would agree to a plan in a meeting but not follow through, was part of a broader culture of avoiding accountability and deflecting responsibility, according to a report on GM's safety issues.
Avoiding Accountability:
These behaviors were part of a larger cultural issue at GM where employees were reluctant to take ownership of problems or deliver bad news up the management chain.
These cultural issues were highlighted in investigations into GM's faulty ignition switches, which were linked to numerous accidents and deaths.
The lack of accountability and clear communication contributed to the delayed response to the ignition switch issue, potentially exacerbating its impact.
Here is link 'The GM nod,' 'The GM salute' and a clash of cultures
I got involved in such reconciliation meeting yesterday. A clash between two employees, with one under my team, and one from another team, shirked responsibility, ended up filing grievance to management. Virtually played GM salute in my organization. A reconciliation committe was formed immediately on site with top managers, department heads, and started interviewing conflict parties, .... ...
