Higher Ups in public

Instead of dissecting finer points of the latest Business Roundtable (BRT) decree, issued earlier this week with great Twitter fanfare, let us examine a more fundamental example of social purpose called corporate executive behavior. Or the individual, in this case.

The individual happened to be a senior ranking Delta employee, who along with his wife, were allowed to cut into the security line at Hartsfield Jackson's international terminal.

Yours truly, on way to D.C., was standing in one of two general lines because the TSA pre-check line was closed for business @ 10:30 AM due to low traveller volume. The sign said the line would reopen @ 12:30 PM, which seemed a bit odd. Several of my closest friends and associates were waiting rather patiently for the slow moving line to accelerate. It never did. At a late interval, right before bin heaven, a Delta red coat stopped the lane to let whom she called a "higher up," cut in front of everyone.

Now with all due respect to a corporation's social purpose, which the Business Roundtable is now asking members to swear by in blood, isn't the issue fundamentally more about entitlement and the declining number of elites willing to put others before themselves?

Jamie Dimon, CEO, Citigroup

This is an epidemic, in my view, and while it has something to do with income gaps, the behavior will never change until more are held to account for not at least trying to put others first. After all, social purpose begins at home and in the community -- not in the board room.

Back to the security line and Mr. Higher Up. He didn't even acknowledge his public. A simple thank you, or better yet, visibly letting a few others go before would have done wonders in at least demonstrating awareness bordering on care. Delta passengers pay his salary anyway, right?

The sad fact is few try to be selfless, and the ones who the public wants to try even less. Consider members of Congress who now seem to be in fear of their lives 24-7. In Atlanta, it's hard to name anyone on the private sector side who excels at public acumen. Truett Cathy is gone, and Jimmy Carter and Andy Young are old enough to do whatever the hell they want. The rest avoid displays and for good reason. Super elites hop on private jets, not 737s.

Higher-ups, please remember to humble thyself when in public. This week's sighting was a missed opportunity, but it was seen. And now maybe it will be heard.