How to Maximize Irritating Genius
Genius is irritating. Highly talented people think differently. They offend the status quo. Don’t tell geniuses to tone it down. Encourage eagles to soar and lions to roar.
You can’t be great and hold down irritating genius at the same time.
Irritating Genius:
Mediocrity goes up when you weigh down people’s gifts. Don’t ask irritating geniuses to push rocks.
My heart sinks when someone says, “I’ve been told that I’m too compassionate, too driven to get things done, or too focused on the future.” This malarkey goes around more than you might imagine.
The trouble with “Miss Get it Done” is she seems pushy. The struggle of “Mr. Compassion” is he’s uncomfortable causing discomfort. They need more, not less.
Advise remarkable people to enhance their strengths. Teach “Mr. Compassion” to set boundaries and trust people to grapple with their own difficulties. Strengthen “Miss Get it Done” with emotional intelligence.
A person who is great at one thing can learn to be good at other things.
“Miss Get it Done” needs to learn that walking on people hinders progress. Compassion increases effectiveness.
“Mr. Compassion” needs to see that not getting things done insults talent and weakens engagement. Putting weight on people brings out their best.
Here’s another example. “Ms. Analyzer” struggles to make decisions. Telling her to tone down analyzing drains her potential. Instead, build structures around her skill that include deadlines and decision-making tools.
Stop advising people to be less of who they are. Instead, work on adding behaviors that maximize their strengths and eliminate behaviors that hold them back.
What behaviors are getting in the way of your genius?
What weaknesses correspond with your genius?
What new behaviors might maximize the geniuses on your team?
Still curious:
Ten Fatal Flaws That Derail Leaders – HBR
