We habitually interpret traits such as overconfidence and self-absorption as signs of high ability, though in fact they’re negatively correlated with it. They “should be seen as red flags”, but “instead, they prompt us to say, ‘Ah, there’s a charismatic fellow! He’s probably leadership material.’” Men come to dominate the upper echelons because they’re more likely to manifest such traits.
---O. Burkeman.
It's always struck you that some people can get away with a lot of things. As soon as someone rich or powerful opens their mouth you can literally see the deference on the faces of the people in the vicinity; in fact, I've even seen the body posture of the people in the latter group change as they lap up and smile at the leader's words. People will be ready to laugh at even their slightest attempt at a joke.
Here's the thing: I don't think it's simply a cynical response that aims to further one's own self-interest. It's much much less self-conscious than that. Similar to the way in which a person's reaction almost instinctively changes in the presence of a beautiful person of the opposite sex, or in front of a famous writer, say. The body is pre-shaped, the face and eyes are made warmer, less hostile, in anticipation of the words and gestures of the one with some kind of power. It doesn't even really matter what the person is saying. Just nod along in admiration. Where does that deference come from, you wonder?
[With me it's the complete opposite. Always being an outsider of sorts has meant me sticking two fingers up at authority more often than not..for the plain reason that I' profoundly sceptical of the very concept of authority.]
Is it part of some age-old bending-of-the-back trait inherited from our agricultural past? Or does it go back further than that..the way monkeys grin and put their hands up in the face of danger. What is this constant need to look to some dazzling personality to affirm your own life?
---O. Burkeman.
It's always struck you that some people can get away with a lot of things. As soon as someone rich or powerful opens their mouth you can literally see the deference on the faces of the people in the vicinity; in fact, I've even seen the body posture of the people in the latter group change as they lap up and smile at the leader's words. People will be ready to laugh at even their slightest attempt at a joke.
Here's the thing: I don't think it's simply a cynical response that aims to further one's own self-interest. It's much much less self-conscious than that. Similar to the way in which a person's reaction almost instinctively changes in the presence of a beautiful person of the opposite sex, or in front of a famous writer, say. The body is pre-shaped, the face and eyes are made warmer, less hostile, in anticipation of the words and gestures of the one with some kind of power. It doesn't even really matter what the person is saying. Just nod along in admiration. Where does that deference come from, you wonder?
[With me it's the complete opposite. Always being an outsider of sorts has meant me sticking two fingers up at authority more often than not..for the plain reason that I' profoundly sceptical of the very concept of authority.]
Is it part of some age-old bending-of-the-back trait inherited from our agricultural past? Or does it go back further than that..the way monkeys grin and put their hands up in the face of danger. What is this constant need to look to some dazzling personality to affirm your own life?
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