The Chaillan Missive

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A week ago Air and Space Force’s Chief Software Officer penned the most honest exit letter of our decade when it comes to the tech industry. This is an astonishing story indeed. And make no mistake about it, it’s a story about HumanDebt™.

Is this whistleblowing, courage or even part of the #GreatResignation? Maybe it is all of these wrapped into one. Is this man still employable after this act of extreme courage? Possibly not, let’s face it. Unless of course if some smart organisation carves him a role as “Chief Courage Officer”. (Update - read below in the comments - he's eminently employable, thankfully! Nicolas is basically a walking HumanDebt barometer right now as the ones who will snatch him have either really low HumanDebt or a desire to lower it. Hats off to them.)

We live in a world of butt-naked emperors where we’re all a bit too fearful to point out that they ought to cover up. Every day in business we shake our heads at transgressions we know are inexcusable and carry on. Most times we don’t even say anything. In fact, we barely trust our instincts that something is wrong. It’s like our professional lives gaslight us.