Filmmaker Max Joseph's 35-minute video essay asks whether you have to be a jerk to be a successful leader. It draws on Adam Grant's givers and takers, Robert Greene and famous demanding directors.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN recommends it as a thoughtful critique of the great-leader-as-jerk myth in threads on difficult bosses.
“here's the best video I've found that breaks apart the idea of an "asshole"”HN comment, 2018
“here's the best video I've found that breaks apart the idea of an "asshole"”
Best breakdown of the asshole idea via givers and takers
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For anyone who's curious, here's the best video I've found that breaks apart the idea of an "asshole": this video Essentially, people can be dicks and non-dicks, while simultaneously being givers or takers. Nobody likes a taker, even if they're nice, because that person doesn't help one grow. On the other hand, someone can be a real dick, but in a "giving" way that helps achieve a better outcome for both individuals. In the case of Jobs, one could argue that his personality was justified not only because great work came out of it, but also because the people doing that work became the best version of themselves in the process. If someone is capable of great work and they produce good work, there's a certain kindness to telling them that's not acceptable. But saying the exact same thing to someone who's less capable can be mean.
RecommendsazhenleyApr 2019
“This 30 minute Youtube documentary on the topic is very interesting”
Documentary on whether great leaders must be jerks
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Being pleasant is one of my personal rules/goals for life. But it is interesting to analyze great leaders who have been jerks. This 30 minute Youtube documentary on the topic is very interesting: "DICKS: Do you need to be one to be a successful leader?" this video
Recommendsak39May 2020
“Here's a good video essay on the same subject by a filmmaker, Max Joseph”
Video essay on the great-leader-as-jerk meme
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I think the writer is correct: there is a meme out there that in order to be great, a leader, a trailblazer etc you have to become inevitably the arsehole. So much so, that arseholism is not just tolerated but celebrated. I wonder why the author did not feel persuaded to mention our current poster child of arseholism, the quintessential kind: Donald Trump. Here's a good video essay on the same subject by a filmmaker, Max Joseph: this video
Cites itsoftfalconJul 2020
“You don't have to be a dick, but being a strong and passionate leader will result in making tough choices”
Strong leaders make tough choices; people want a leader with vision
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This reminds me of a short documentary called "DICKS: Do you need to be one to be a successful leader?" this video tldr; You don't have to be a dick, but being a strong and passionate leader will result in making tough choices that will inevitably not make everyone happy. tldr 2; People don't want a boss who is a friend, they want a leader with a vision.
