Dan, I love that example…because those leaders make me cringe! I know a few of those very characters. Thanks for reading and commenting!

-Art

Moms usually know best. I absolutely agree that self-confidence, or lack of, leads people to surround themselves with certain types of people or groups. But it takes self awareness to realize what type of people one is surrounding or should be surrounding themselves with.

Great points about insecure leaders surrounding themselves with people weaker than themselves. This is a good gut check on what type of leader you are and can provide some objective information for reflection. Additionally, you can use this to see what type of leader you boss may be – are they threated by your own skills? Do they think your are successful or a failure if your own reports can outperform you?

Great stuff, Thanks!

Nicole

I completely agree with your bottom line. In fact, half way through the article, I said to myself that the key is being confident enough to be a leader among smart, strong, and capable people. If you are not strong enough to allow yourself to get advice from people who are your equal or greater talent-wise, then leadership is not for you. In addition, your time as a leader will yield poor results. People will see your weakness and paranoia, no doubt.

Another good point you bring up is that leadership is about making the most of your team’s strengths, not just minimizing weaknesses. In fact, leadership is primarily centered upon marrying strengths with tasks. Now, I agree that it is good to try to improve weaknesses, but leaders should focus on maximizing strengths.

-Mark

Siraj, isn’t it funny how right our parents are…and often how we don’t figure that out until much later.

Best to both of you!

Art

Interesting correlation you’ve made between who your mom wants you to hang out with as a kid and who you surround yourself with as an adult. It’s funny how true this was when growing up, seeing that the people that my mom liked me being around and not being around and seeing the success or lack thereof that they have had since high school even, she was right. I also think you really hit the nail on the head mentioning that this is a self-confidence issue, because it really does take a confident person to surround himself with people that will criticize and question his decisions. Nice read, thanks!

Great Article. I completely agree with your premise that your only as valuable as the people around you. A leader must be willing to accept the fact that he or she is not the smartest person in the room. Once a leader has comes to realization, he or she is able to assemble a team on qualifications alone.It is way to common in today’s day and age that people are not hired because of their qualifications (or lack there of) but because he or she is smarter than the interviewee. Anyways, until next time, have a good day and happy holiday

-Zack

Best,

Art

Love your stuff,

Andy