"He's really smart" seems to have become the ultimate (business) compliment.
What is troubling to me is that I very seldom hear a person provide relevant context to that remark - context that would demonstrate why he thinks a person is smart.
He's so smart because he ...
- doesn't play follow the leader (or follow the follower)
- anticipates customer needs or changes in trends
- has solved two really complex problems
- makes wise choices about how to allocate resources
- knows how to get his team to do their best
- keeps things simple and focused
- recruits people who are smarter than him
- gives very clear direction
Neither an MBA from a prestigious school, nor a 4.0, nor working on a successful brand, nor speaking articulately make you smart ... doing the right things, doing them honestly and winning make you smart.
O.D.O.o.O.D.B.
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