8 ms·

But how can we quantifiably score the talent of executives?

roenxi 7y ago
There are many things that can't be quantified for practical reasons. Executive talent is one of them. The article says "There's even an algorithm for this. It seems too easy to be real." - I think that might be literally true; there is no reason why the highest job in the hierarchy should be the hardest. So there may not be anything there to quantify.
- alexandercrohde 7y ago
  We like to think that, don't we. But the more I think about it, the less true it seems. We seem to be able to measure every other form of talent. I think those with power vehemently resist measurement because they know it opens them to scrutiny.
crimsonalucard 7y ago
Literally all they do is facilitate meetings so other people can do things for them. You are a better executive the more you delegate and the less you actually do. I'm not making this up, literally this is what the article talks about. If you don't do shit, you get paid more for it.
- marcinzm 7y ago
  >Literally all they do is facilitate meetings so other people can do things for them. No, they define the process for decision making (ie: the values) and then enforce that it is followed. That includes finding those who don't follow it and either providing guidance or ultimately firing them. Of course, the people you're trying to find may be actively trying to hide. There is a difference between not making direct business decisions and doing nothing.
  - crimsonalucard 7y ago
    Dude they don't even do this. You don't get it. They DELEGATE the decision making, the values and the enforcement as well. The firing, the finding guidance is all delegated. It've very very minimal what they do. The overall performance of the executive is determined by his selection of right hand men. The executives main skill is managing the board and selecting the right people to do things for them. The executive is not talented at creating, building or running a company. His main talent is selecting the people who do it for him. Also honestly, all this "value setting" stuff is trivial. Ultimately the people underneath him adapt to what works regardless of values.
    - shantly 7y ago
      I've always kinda suspected this just because so many execs seem to have time to be on multiple boards, CEO of whatever, head of some charity, advisor to some startup they have a stake in, et c., all at once, and "they work a lot" can't explain all of that.
      - crimsonalucard 7y ago
        Caveat I should mention. Not all execs are like this, but most are, and this is all that is, in the end, required from the exec. A contrarian example is Steve Jobs. A man who dipped his fingers into every aspect of the company.
        ncmncm 7y ago
        Not true. It was just unpredictable what aspect he would go off on.
        crimsonalucard 7y ago
        Hold on. You say not true but then you say he did dip his fingers in an unpredictable way.... Of course perhaps you meant he didn't dip his fingers into everything at the same time... Well of course he didnt... he did dip his fingers into random things and eventually over time it led to him basically touching almost every aspect of the company.

There are many things that can't be quantified for practical reasons. Executive talent is one of them. The article says "There's even an algorithm for this. It seems too easy to be real." - I think that might be literally true; there is no reason why the highest job in the hierarchy should be the hardest. So there may not be anything there to quantify.

alexandercrohde 7y ago
We like to think that, don't we. But the more I think about it, the less true it seems. We seem to be able to measure every other form of talent. I think those with power vehemently resist measurement because they know it opens them to scrutiny.

crimsonalucard 7y ago

Literally all they do is facilitate meetings so other people can do things for them. You are a better executive the more you delegate and the less you actually do. I'm not making this up, literally this is what the article talks about. If you don't do shit, you get paid more for it.

marcinzm 7y ago
>Literally all they do is facilitate meetings so other people can do things for them. No, they define the process for decision making (ie: the values) and then enforce that it is followed. That includes finding those who don't follow it and either providing guidance or ultimately firing them. Of course, the people you're trying to find may be actively trying to hide. There is a difference between not making direct business decisions and doing nothing.
- crimsonalucard 7y ago
  Dude they don't even do this. You don't get it. They DELEGATE the decision making, the values and the enforcement as well. The firing, the finding guidance is all delegated. It've very very minimal what they do. The overall performance of the executive is determined by his selection of right hand men. The executives main skill is managing the board and selecting the right people to do things for them. The executive is not talented at creating, building or running a company. His main talent is selecting the people who do it for him. Also honestly, all this "value setting" stuff is trivial. Ultimately the people underneath him adapt to what works regardless of values.
  - shantly 7y ago
    I've always kinda suspected this just because so many execs seem to have time to be on multiple boards, CEO of whatever, head of some charity, advisor to some startup they have a stake in, et c., all at once, and "they work a lot" can't explain all of that.
    - crimsonalucard 7y ago
      Caveat I should mention. Not all execs are like this, but most are, and this is all that is, in the end, required from the exec. A contrarian example is Steve Jobs. A man who dipped his fingers into every aspect of the company.
      - ncmncm 7y ago
        Not true. It was just unpredictable what aspect he would go off on.
        crimsonalucard 7y ago
        Hold on. You say not true but then you say he did dip his fingers in an unpredictable way.... Of course perhaps you meant he didn't dip his fingers into everything at the same time... Well of course he didnt... he did dip his fingers into random things and eventually over time it led to him basically touching almost every aspect of the company.