I recalling some article or radio story not so long ago, expressing outrage (what else) that "nepotism" was rampant, meaning a lot of people in companies had family members, including relatives, in the company.
What's so unusual about that? Come on. Put on your sociology hat. People employ people they know and think they might have a chance of getting along with. And also: family loyalty is a real thing.
If you reach for the word "corruption" at the drop of an "I'd like a job for my brother" hat, then yeah, you'll see corruption everywhere. I see family looking out for family. Mia famiglia. Ma-fia. Mafia.
Lets remember another common architectural pattern: an entire complex, an apartment building, or maybe a suite of free-standing dwellings, all belonging to a single extended family, maybe with a few renters. There's a shared courtyard in the center.
A family-owned company might well make use of some of that same building. What if the family owns a high rise? Maybe most of the apartments are rented out, but there's also lots of storefronts and schools, not to mention a gym, several museums, each with gift shops. Mixed use. A lot of the employees are also related.
Yes, there's the problem of choosing someone less capable or qualified, because of these other criteria, in the hopes of someone growing into the job. Not everyone needs to be in top form to fit in. Work does have a way of sculpting people, after they land the position. Learning on the job is not a crime, usually (sometimes it might be).
People are often too quick to charge "corruption" when it's actually a matter of killing multiple virtual birds with one stone, i.e. efficiency is in more dimensions than just the one or two considered relevant by some onlooker. Who made those onlookers the judge? Some onlookers are too ready and willing to judge, as if that's their role in life. Says who?
"Who made you the judge?" that ask in the est Training, In one exercise, two lines of people would snake around, one walking in the opposite direction to the other (if memory serves). The objective was to be aware of one's judgements, as various people passed by.
To be a higher judge, learn to judge your judge, and then judge that judge and so on. Get up to the supreme court level in your own mind at least. That way, you still get to judge. But that doesn't mean you always wallow in outrage. You might even have mostly positive judgements, without wearing rose colored glasses.
