"He has nothing to say to me": a telltale phrase in companies driven by hierarchy and status. Why? Because it's not about the best solution, but about who ( hierarchy) it comes from . And not which idea ( competence) takes precedence. Unfortunately, many companies still fail when it comes to this cultural issue. This is clearly a question of power. The legitimacy of an idea does not come from its strength, but from ego factors that harm the big picture. This proves how much people long for hierarchy. It provides security and orientation. However, true competence requires superiors who courageously put competence on the fast track through their authority.
Have you ever watched monkeys at the zoo? After 15 minutes, the monkeys turn into people you know. And you feel reminded of your everyday working life. Monkeys groom each other to strengthen their social bonds. People go out for a beer together. A chest-thumping alpha sits with a few lower-ranking individuals, but becomes submissive himself when the top alpha appears. Are you familiar with this from meetings? Or that young rebels annoy everyone with their uncoordinated bursts of energy until they are put back in their place by a "leader? Humans are herd animals. And their desire for hierarchy and order is very pronounced.
The call for flat hierarchies is the desire for competence to take precedence.
The beautiful image of a person who serves the most meaningful cause with a high degree of self-reflection and self-control would come somewhat closer to "Homo sapiens sapiens." The wisest among the wise: a name we have chosen for ourselves. But in everyday life? Ambitious people with little competence suck up to advance their careers until they are exposed. Likeable networkers with no substance secure their high rank in the monkey rock through relationships. Power-hungry aggressive mutants roar until others get fed up and leave the field to the howler monkeys.
People must undergo a long process of development before they can think beyond themselves. The struggle to find the best solution must become second nature. It starts with sufficient competence, stable self-esteem, and self-confidence based on strong, self-achieved results. But how do you find the best solution? Albert Einstein once said:
Recognizing the problem is more important than recognizing the solution, because accurately describing the problem leads to the solution.
You should pay attention to this—in general, not just at work. Focus all available resources on accurately presenting the problem—beyond any hierarchical requirements.
Give priority to other people's ideas
Listen to people until you have grasped the essence of what they are saying. Don't overwhelm others with well-intentioned suggestions for solutions, but guide them with questions so that they can identify the solution themselves. You will be an outstanding expert if you can give priority to the ideas of others within your field of expertise without suffering as a result. Speaking of experts: the more knowledgeable you are in a particular field, the more important it is to think beyond your expertise. After all, the well-known death sentence for an expert is: if you only have a hammer, everything looks like a nail!
That's why you're not really happy.
Why success and fulfillment have nothing to do with each other.
Image source: ©Gellinger Pixabay
