Have you ever known someone who seemed indispensable, but suddenly fell from grace? That’s what happened to Kelsey.
Kelsey was a real stand-out. She had all the elements: A killer resume, competence, and tenure. There was only one problem: Her advice usually packed a punch.
In a way, she wasn’t at fault. Her company had a long practice of trying to spur healthy competition, and Kelsey was all in. But the “anything you can do, I can do better” mindset meant conversations quickly slid from friendly banter into right fighting.
She thought she was winning arguments, but she didn’t see that needing to have the last word was testing some alliances and breaking others. In the end, intelligence wasn’t enough. When budget reductions happened, Kelsey was stunned to be on the cut list.
Kelsey’s experience can happen to anyone. Her blind spot was what social psychologist Mary Murphy calls the “Culture of Genius.” The concept is simple: Performance is king, “where individuals feel compelled to continuously prove their genius.”
But people who fall for the culture of genius miss a critical point: What you know is only the starting point, not the destination. That’s why people skills are the difference between making waves and making enemies.
For instance, it’s possible to showcase data without becoming a Brilliant Jerk. To be shrewd without second-guessing or tearing down others. And to be imaginative and inspirational without winding up in the “aspirational, not attainable” category.
Let’s look at another situation to show how the “Culture of Genius” can go sideways.
I caught a Billions short, where Taylor Mason and Wags are interviewing a hotshot candidate.
Within seconds, the candidate turns the tables. He dominates the room, reminding them that he has the brains to do the job, a strong Wall Street network, and a slew of counteroffers.
The candidate lists his demands, asking, “What’s in it for me?” Taylor listens without interrupting. Wags, as impulsive as ever, starts cursing and losing his temper.
Taylor overrules Wags, stating that they’re looking for someone who can think clearly under pressure. The candidate looks smug until Taylor says, “You have a genius-level IQ, but no control over your emotional state.”
And just like that, there’s no offer.
In the April series, Spring Clean Your People Skills, we’re discussing habits and behaviors to let go of before they become career blockers. The Billions clip reveals an interesting point about the “Culture of Genius.” There are attributes worth keeping, but only if you can counterbalance high performance with people skills.
Let’s walk through a punch list of keep/toss decisions to display the difference soft skills make:
* Keep the drive for results / toss pushing others to agree. People with healthy self-confidence and discernment are willing to road test and fine-tune their proposals.
* Keep big ideas / toss the mic drop. Big profits can start with big ideas. However, implementation is an all-hands-on-deck job. So, collaborate, engage, and respect others’ time and talent. You’ll need them.
* Keep your future view / toss winning every fight. Remember—people are watching how you handle tense situations. So, don’t lose amazing opportunities by needing constant wins at other people’s expense. Instead, do what negotiators do: Keep your cool and give a little. Skip the conflict that’s not worth fighting and find a friend in the room. (Future You, who just got a raise and bonus for their teamwork, is thanking you.)
* AI Prompt: Act as a career coach and give me easy tips for how to keep my cool when I’m confronted by someone acting as The Brilliant Jerk.
Being a jerk—even a brilliant one—is an option. The real flex is seeing the game, breaking the cycle, and creating a new paradigm. However, the roadmap to get there isn’t built on smarts alone. You’ll also need skills like the ability to form strong connections, collaborate in inventive ways, and offer wise insights.
So, send toxic culture attributes packing before they undermine your future. Become someone who handles tricky relationships with ease and makes complex information real, understandable, and relevant. Others may call you a genius!