Here at Intel, as well as at the previous company I worked for, I noticed that people just don’t accept the “smartest people in the room” type of people. I used to think it was about big ego and people who want to feel superior, however, more and more I think the opposite is true. Maybe the thing is that the average team players are the ones who actually have a big ego that doesn’t accept brilliant individuals with big ideas, who end up going from Intel to competing companies and doing great things there.
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It is the result of years running the focal process and forced distribution. Remember the survivor show, at the beginning contestants conspire to remove the best person. Surprisingly it is the one common aim for the rest in an environment that promotes forced departures based on voting.
I find it funny that these types of systems are called Darwinian - survival of the fittest. They are not. They are based on survival of the politically most connected. It is best not to stick out in the early days in these types of environment.
Companies that implement forced distribution systems have the same results. Nasty Politics, back stabbing, toxic for results oriented doers, great for political players with mediocre skill sets that do not pause any treat to co workers and superiors. Just check amazon. Old Microsoft. Very similar dynamics to intel. Only lame a-s politicians promote focal type systems. Because that’s the best way for the. T o survive and thrive.
@2ppy+1arloZkj, unlike perhaps the loudmouths whose resume overflows with spectacular overachievements
In most cases those who they think they are the smartest person in the room having nothing to show for it.
@1xik+1arloZkj, the issue could be more complex. In some cases, the suggestion could be to do something more exploratory – the clear benefits of which they may not be able to articulate beforehand. In some cases, it could cause more work to others, which, while might be justified from long term success viewpoint, will be challenged by mediocre status quoists
Let me guess, you are the smartest person in the room
😜🤪🤭
In some cases OP is correct. But often, if a smart person can back up their position, they’ll win. Not often enough, it should always be the case.
My concern is that, re–reading the OP, it comes off as a jilted, self–absorbed millennial who was told “no” a few times. I wonder if that’s true.
The one who shut down the smart one's big ideas either did not realize the values of the big ideas, or smarter enough to know it is a good idea but shut it down for other reasons.
It’s all a matter of perspective.
At Intel the only thing that matters is the loudest person in the room.
Plot twist. The smartest person isn't even that smart. They're just doing their tasks without creating problems.
@zlt+1arloZkj, the OP is talking about cases where the smartest person is shut off not due to his jerkiness but due to the insecurities of the mediocre, who also happen to be the loudest in the room on many such occasions. I have seen that happen too. But hesitant to say it’s a phenomenon limited to Intel alone.
Communication is everything. Nobody wants to work with or be around a super intelligent jerk.