The time has come to take stock of the year 2013; of the many subjects that come to mind, there is one that has attracted my attention. Have you ever wondered why there has been such a rise in movies, series, games, comics, literature, apps and hundreds of gadgets dealing with zombies? Although not a new phenomenon, its rise in popularity is disturbing.

With a little research, we find that a zombie (as written in the English language)^[1] is a legendary figure from the Haitian voodoo culture. Zombies are people brought back from the dead by sorcerers using magic spells to make them their slaves. According to this belief, a houngan, bokor or voodoo sorcerer is capable of using a ritual to bring a person back from the dead and submit that person to his will.^[2]

In colloquial language, the term zombie is used to refer to somebody who behaves mechanically, as though unable to exert free will. Which is what I had in mind!

I firmly believe that a large percentage of our society have become zombies, a contagious condition that also affects the business and political classes. This is not exclusive of Spain, but occurs world-wide.

Don't worry; I haven't gone mad, at least not completely. But let's consider for a moment what is happening around us.

Does the behavior of certain executives appear normal? Think of your companies:

• Meritocracy or results are rewarded, without taking into consideration human relationships with work colleagues
• Suppliers are treated like thieves and the purpose of tenders is to steal the best ideas and then "give them away" to the cheapest offer of to a friend.
• Clients are bribed with gifts, trips or influence peddling.
• When a junior executive begins to stand out, he is distanced or criticized so he won't eclipse any senior executives.
• There is a tendency not to make decisions with the company in mind, but those that are the most convenient.
• They are not concerned with finding the best talent and promoting it, but with surrounding themselves with those that think the same or share the same ideals.
• There is no ambition to excel, but rather to fulfill the minimum possible results, without any attempt to alter the status quo.
• These executives shield themselves with respect and distance, so as not to show any weaknesses and they never admit their mistakes.
• They never do anything for their neighbor selflessly.
• They are always absolutely right and never accept another point of view

Sadly enough, I'm afraid to say that if you have to "undergo" this type of behavior by any of the senior executives in your company, the person involved has become a zombie.

It is not an easy matter to provide statistics regarding the percentage of our companies that employ executives with these characteristics, but I'm afraid that they exceed the average and the numbers are on the rise, which is even worse.

I suppose you are wondering whether there is any antidote available - I'm afraid there isn't. It is all part of the culture of this country and the permissiveness shown by all versus these situations; we have, in fact, learned to live with them and to consider the situation as normal.

This same permissiveness has opened the door for many of these zombies to acquire large shares of executive and political power, which only increases the virulence and speed of the epidemic.

However, there is still a ray of hope to be found. These individuals are not immortal and the first obligation of those of us who still believe in a different type of executive or leader, one who is ethical, human, innovative, generous, altruistic, humanistic and entrepreneurial, are called on to give an example so that others are not infected and, most importantly, to train the younger generation in good business practices.

I don't want to end this blog without mentioning all those executives in Spain who are not zombies and achieve success. There are some whom we all know who shine brighter because deep down we admire the success of individuals who achieve their dreams following proper ethics and professional behavior.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!