I tend to look at the MacLeod hierarchy through a three-dimensional analysis: subordinacy, dedication, and strategy (knowing what to work on). People with 0 or

I tend to look at the MacLeod hierarchy through a three-dimensional analysis: subordinacy, dedication, and strategy (knowing what to work on). People with 0 or 1 of the 3 traits will never become players and aren't worth worrying about. To have all 3 is almost a contradiction. If you're strategic, you'll choose dedication (to advance fast) or subordinacy (to have an easy life) but never excel in both-- that's a fool's errand. You only get a 3-for-3 match in a protege situation (it makes sense for someone to be dedicated and subordinate, because he's subordinating to someone powerful who's protecting his career). Strategic and subordinate (but not dedicated) people are the MacLeod Losers, the clock-punching 9-to-5ers. Subordinate and dedicated (but not strategic) people are the Clueless. Their unconditional work ethic can bring them into middle management but they never get any further, because they never learn how to "work smart". Strategic and dedicated (but not subordinate) people are the MacLeod Sociopaths (most of whom aren't sociopaths). But even though they tend to be highly dedicated, they're also often accused of laziness since they commit so little to the efforts they judge not to have value (and they're often open about doing so).