Insensitivity as a positive leadership trait

[tabs]

Ouiet frankly when U understand the game you are playing in and the rules of the road U can figure out how to get over. Know where the pressure points are and playem like a fiddle.

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by RKC

I would say yes and no, but mostly no. I think you actually need an extremely sensitive understanding of people to build up teams, to inspire effort, etc., but then also the cold-ish, mathematical understanding to make decisions that are for the greater good despite the fact that some people get hurt.

A 100% cold, mathematical fellow won't get his foot in the door of the executive office, let alone be able to inspire/retain key staff. Likewise, a 100% people person will fail by trying to delay the suffering and hence increase its spread.

I disagree. Some of the most effective managers and "corporate types" I've met have a keen understanding of people, but are at the same time extremely insensitive and calculating. They do an excellent job of "imitating" enough sensitivity to pass for a normal person when required. But behind the guise, they are borderline sociopaths that even put on an act with their spouses!

[tabs]

A good commander knws the strengths and weaknesses of all on his team. Clint said, "a man has got to know his limitations" A commander Should never try and push someone beyond their limits,that is a recipe for failure. That is not to say a person should not try and stretch his limits..over time ones possibilities do expand.

[tabs]

Also what applys to the corp world applys to the Unions as well....

[Rick Lee]

My company has a relatively new CEO who didn't hesitate to rearrange things when he got the hang of how everything works here. He first did a world tour of all our offices and then decided how he wanted the org. chart to look for it to best achieve his goals. Plenty of folks were let go from the C level down to the support call centers. I have no doubt those laid off were taken care of, but he didn't hesitate to reshape the org. in the way he thought would best reach his revenue goals. I have no problem with that. But then I'm in sales and we're always the last to get canned (if we meet our numbers).

[sammyg2]

The key to success in business is sincerity.
If you can fake that you have it made.

Seriously, I completely disagree with many of the posts here. The key to a good manager (and business) is caring.
I'm not talking about caring about their feelings or worrying about what they think of you.
I'm saying a good manager, a good leader must care ABOUT his people. Note that I didn't say he must care FOR them, there's a huge difference.

I don't coddle my reports or anything like that but they all know that I am concerned about their welfare and success and that I take it on as a personal assignment to make sure they are successful in their career. That means helping them with development, motivation, development, and sometimes a pat on the back or a kick in the pants.

Ive given them the speech that they are my legacy. "when I retire I want to look back and see the people who are now running the show and be able to say I had something to do with that. I helped them be the best".


surprisingly, they know that if I have to give them a stern talking to ("coaching session") it's received well because they know I'm doing it because I feel it's in their best interest.
I make them feel important, confident, accountable, and proud. I also develop a culture of peer pressure where all members must step up and contribute, no one is allowed to drag the group down or be carried. If someone's performance hurts the group's performance or image, they hear about it from their coworkers.
We don't compete with each other or other departments in our company, we compete with other similar groups in the industry. They actually believe they are the best group in the industry and they get all puffed up about it.
They take pride in keeping the big bosses off my butt. They like the fact that the big bosses have to spend time dealing with other departments in our company but almost never get involved in our business anymore. That means we are taking care of business and it gives us freedom to do it our way.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by tabs

I thought that this was the closest to my sentiments..and therefore the best post on this Thread so I quoted it...

The part that I thought was off was the Yes "insensitivity" is necessary.

Corporate institutionalization leads to an impersonalization in society, where everyone is a number and everyone forgets you had a name. Does one wonder why drug use both legal and illegal is so high in the industrial countries. Can you say ALIENATION...your indivduality doesn't count...your concerns don't count. You don't count..

Fair enough and I don't want to pick this thing to death. But, necessary and "necessary trait" may mean different things. I do think that the trait, or willingness, or any other definition of the word is an important element of my sentence.

It's no secret that I distrust corporate structure, policy, economics and politics. This thread is about CEO's and subordinates, I gather, but I'm extending the effect of "insensitivity" to the customers. If what you say about alienation and individuality are correct, those employees are not serving the customer well.

That's where my ire starts. I can have no quarrel with CEO's because I don't know any. I am a customer and I see the result of "insensitivity" every day.