Managing the smartest people isn't impossible "cat herding" and it's not some obscure science. The trick is to realize how they got smart: by fighting the syste

Managing the smartest people isn't impossible "cat herding" and it's not some obscure science. The trick is to realize how they got smart: by fighting the system to learn more than they should. They're rule-breakers but they also have a deep respect for learning, courage, and effort. Such people need to be mentored, and they need to feel favored (which is politically messy). If they feel like the people "in charge" are looking out for them and moving political obstacles out of their way, they'll be loyal. If they don't feel that way, they'll do what they think will teach them. Remember how they got smart: fighting the system, breaking rules. Getting an education by "stealing" it from a boss is natural to them.