is Prigozhin a traitor or a patriot?

The case of Wagner chef, Prigozhin in Russia, is a clear example of the frustration coming from the way your skills are not recognized, as you are fought by high-ranking people close to the big boss, which is sometimes the case in corporate.

When you are at war, where a military leader is responsible for the lives of his troops, it is more serious, whereas what could Prigozin do when you are sabotaged, and as a result, your soldiers are killed on the battlefield?

Prigozhin wanted to demonstrate how strong and efficient he was; Shogoi didn't deliver enough ammunition to Wagner's troops, undermining crucial operations, just for competition, and to position himself as the main guy next to Putin. Which is always the case in organizations where individuals with a weak track record, because of their high rank and clonesness to the "big boss," undermine competent people within the organization in order to preserve their position.

Prigozhin ordering his troops to withdraw to Belarus is an indication that, he was aiming to send a message to Putin about the skills, and effectiveness of his troops, who therefore need more recognition and power to act for the good of Russia.

So, Putin must not be emotional, and make the right decision, because so many capable people leave organizations despite their loyalty, and tremendous contribution to them; their track record speaks for them (They call it politics, which robs organizations of highly skilled people, and the "ass lickers" stay on top).

Usually, capable people are characterized by integrity and sincerity, which can be seen as arrogance, defiance, or even rebellion, but the fact is that these people are aware of their skills, are loyal, and are honest, unlike those of higher rank (close to the "big boss") within the organization, who fight them in order to prevent them from climbing the ladder. These people are always easily identifiable by their "bad mouthing", hypocrisy, and dishonesty, and are "ass lickers", in short "the boss's dogs". These are the real traitors of any organization.

It is human nature to like to be praised; this is how the "big bosses" in organizations always promote these individuals to the detriment of competent workers, characterized by their pride and integrity, being very confident, and believing that it is their competence that should be responsible for their promotion within the organization.

My former boss told me one day, "The competent people are in the street; the people the boss trusts are in high office", because they are "béni-oui-oui", and are in charge of the personal files of the boss (often in charge of mistresses and carnal pleasures of this one); the rise of Epstein is the perfect example.

Prigozhin's point is clear: "Putin, I'm more capable than your defense minister; I just showed you how effective I can be; now you know who your best soldier is to fight the war."

This fact reminds me of the armed conflict in Côte d'Ivoire in 2022, where young people from the west, who decided to liberate their region from the rebels did not receive enough arms from the government, to fight against the rebels, and no official was reprimanded for this by the then President of the Republic, Laurent Gbagbo; so many were killed, and could not achieve their goal of liberating their region despite having made great progress. If they rebelled, they would be "Prigozhin".

Whether in Syria or Ukraine, the Wagner Group has demonstrated that it is a great asset to the advance of Russian troops in the war, which in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin, was to last only a few months (it has been more than a year). 

Prigozhin ordered his troops to withdraw to their bases while they were 200 kilometers from Moscow! Is he a traitor, in complicity with the CIA, or a patriot who is tired of being sabotaged, and his soldiers killed, by the fault of competition from those close to Putin, who see him as an adversary but not as an asset?

In politics and corporate, this is common, and often one wonders why the president or CEO keeps someone, as a minister or director given their incompetence for the position. They are in "the secret of the gods", every man has his weaknesses, and the one the boss shares them with is his trusted man. The only option against the "boss" person who fights you, is either to resign or to rebel, and you are therefore labeled as the problem to get rid of. So goes the world...

 

Marius C. Oula