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My version of How to lead clever people: 1. They are clever, remember that. 2. Remember 1. Stay out of their way, let them do what they are so good at doing.

by hboon 15y ago

My version of How to lead clever people: 1. They are clever, remember that. 2. Remember 1. Stay out of their way, let them do what they are so good at doing. 3. Remember 1. Don't try to outsmart them at work. Unless it's not work related. Have fun there. 4. Remember 1. Do or help them do what they are not willing to do. Clear the trash, or hire someone to do it. 5. Remember 1. Help them do what they are good at. Give them resources. Remove blockers. 6. Remember 1. Give them challenges. Nothing bores clever people more than not feeling challenged by their work (read: their work do not include politics) 7. Protect them from politics. They might be good at shielding themselves, but that's not an effective use of their time. This includes you helping other teams that don't work with you. If every other team hates yours for performing and getting all the rewards, this might not make life good for you or your clever people. 8. Let them know what you have done for them. Don't brag, but this is a necessity for human relationships to work out, especially at work. Edit: typo

wccrawford 15y ago
I worked at a company that needed help at a few of these. 4) To save a few $, they made EVERY employee do cleaning duties. Take out the trash, clean the fridge and microwave, etc. This caused no end of strife, and couldn't possibly have been worth the little money they saved. 7) Politics were awesome initially, but then the CEO's friend was promoted to being a manager. After a major screwup, the CEO moved the guilt from the manager to EVERYONE under him. For not going over his head when he was making a mistake. The politics were made obvious at that point. 8) I often did NOT know what the company was doing for me behind the scenes. I only saw the things they failed to do, and had little appreciation for the things they did. I'm sure they thought they were just keeping me from being bothered, but they really should have tooted their own horn a bit here. In the end, these were factors in my leaving, but not the biggest one. Pay was the biggest. So I'll add to your list: 9. Pay them appropriately. If you don't, they're clever enough to find someone who will.

by hboon 15y ago

wccrawford 15y ago

I worked at a company that needed help at a few of these. 4) To save a few $, they made EVERY employee do cleaning duties. Take out the trash, clean the fridge and microwave, etc. This caused no end of strife, and couldn't possibly have been worth the little money they saved. 7) Politics were awesome initially, but then the CEO's friend was promoted to being a manager. After a major screwup, the CEO moved the guilt from the manager to EVERYONE under him. For not going over his head when he was making a mistake. The politics were made obvious at that point. 8) I often did NOT know what the company was doing for me behind the scenes. I only saw the things they failed to do, and had little appreciation for the things they did. I'm sure they thought they were just keeping me from being bothered, but they really should have tooted their own horn a bit here. In the end, these were factors in my leaving, but not the biggest one. Pay was the biggest. So I'll add to your list: 9. Pay them appropriately. If you don't, they're clever enough to find someone who will.