Do The Best People Really Become Leaders? Organisational Behavior 101

Major Problems of an Organisation

When you work in a large company, you often find those people who are gregarious, who have strong social skills, rise to the top. But whether they are of average intelligence of not is in doubt. The best politician who rises to the top may not be a good leader. He may be all talk and little knowledge. Europe has been ruined by a succession of leaders who promise voters the moon that the voters could work less, earn more, and have entitlement to everything for free. The politicians are often suave, eloquent, and network very well. But the big question is, should such people be trusted to lead the country? Do they have a strong economic plan?

I trust technocrats more than politicians. They are often academics or are strong in economics or financial matters. However, they may not be good politicians and often fall by the wayside because they cannot garnet support for their ideas. They have a vision that cannot be implemented. It’s such a pity.

Similarly, in an organisation, it is often the glibbest tongued people who rise to the top. Do they deserve to be at the top? Will the organisation benefit? Are these people intelligent enough to have a grand vision and to do the right thing? I am not sure. Sometimes, we are lucky and get a leader who is eloquent and at the same time very intelligent. Often, we just get someone who’s a salesman or saleswoman.

I do not have an answer to these questions. All I can say is these are flaws that are very difficult to correct. Humans are social creatures. They are emotional. They often support people who are likeable, and whom they perceive can benefit them. We have to make the talent selection program as transparent as possible. We cannot leave talent development to chance, or to shallow analysis, or to emotional or selfish choices.