Last night I heard an interesting comment from a colleague who claimed that no member of a team can surpass in his/her personal/professional growth the team leader. Please relate to this idea considering pluralism, mission oriented organizational culture, mediocracy and personal freedom of thought and development.
Before professional development came of age, Baltasar Gracián (1601–1658), a Spanish Jesuit author , wrote in The Art of Worldly Wisdom (1647) that "Being defeated is hateful, and besting one’s boss is either foolish or fatal. Most people do not mind being surpassed in good fortune, character, or temperament, but no one, especially not a sovereign, likes to be surpassed in intelligence." In The 48 Laws of Power (2000), Robert Greene echoed the sentiments of Gracián’s quote in his first law: Never Outshine the Master. Greene wrote: "Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power." Reportedly, Greene's books have a strong following in the business world and a deep following in Washington, DC. And so, the need for pluralism, mission-oriented organizational culture, personal freedom of thought and development, etc. remains.
Thanks Olivier, yet we might have different views. In the "mission culture" the leader is the person most competent to produce the best result. You can find this pattern in high tech as well as in the military. For example, the physician of the battalion may be just a lieutenant subordinated to the colonel, yet the physician is ways more competent in medical matters that his/her master.
A wise leader takes advantage of the led superiority in different fields. The best example is that of consultants and advisors – people that a leader would not pay to or listen to unless the leader recognizes and values their superiority in some fields.
Narrow minded leaders are scared by being surpassed in any field by their subordinates. Consider large companies and the structure of their headquarters and you will be surprised by the number of subordinates surpassing the CEO in specific fields (the CFO, the counsel, the CTO, the HR VP...)
Just my opinion.
Dear Dan,
I managed for 12 years a research laboratory and besides the operational goals (to deliver research output of appropriate quality) my strategic goal was to make EVERY member of the team more professional than me in some (or several) professional areas. When all team members have reached that level, I closed the laboratory not because of jealousy, but for purely financial reasons (I had no sufficient funds to pay for that level of professionalism). I also put some efforts to help to find for that people jobs which corresponded their level.
bests,
Igor Gurkov
Thanks Igor. I absolutely agree with you. Years ago I held an R&D management position at the headquarters of a large multidisciplinary institution. Very soon I realized that I cannot and should not try to be even semi-professional in the tens - if not hundreds - of disciplines. My boss, the R&D VP, held a Ph.D. in electronics engineering. I never had the impression that he was concerned about the fact that he was in charge with super expert managers and researches leading world caliber teams in chemical engineering, aeronautics, mechanical engineering and so on. He used to nurture these people by all means and was quite proud of them and of being so lucky to lead them.
Dear Dan,
I am glad that you have the similar experience. The whole idea of a leader as a collector and builder of unique talents can be seen in a nice movie
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) ---
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv443kADYPA --
where Baron Munchausen forced his former associates to remember their unique abilities and skills.
Cordially,
Igor
How ridiculous! A true leader's mission must be to prepare future leaders who make a difference in the world. "Stagnant water is bound to corrupt."
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Philosophy
- Esthetics
- Interpretation