It has always amazed me that the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.” And while there are quieter, more deserving people in need of help or praise, there may in fact be more to gain by squeaking your wheel.
That being said, I wonder if pissing people off is actually the better vehicle for success. I once worked with a CEO whom everyone (without exception!) despised. In virtually every regard, he would choose the path most likely to antagonize and alienate everyone — both on his team as well as clients. The one phrase from him that sticks around is “hey, go ahead – sue me! I love going to court!” What I also know is that the guy was (financially at least) extremely successful and despite contrarian appearances, ran a rather profitable company.
We just elected a new President. Maybe you hadn’t heard? His predecessor aroused such anger, such animosity, and sheer rage from so many people, you would think he was doing it intentionally. And amidst the hate, anger, and mistrust of this man, he served two full terms as President. Meanwhile, the man we just elected seems to be going out of his way to reform the rhetoric and turn the office into one of respect, productivity, and transparency. And already, as expected, the critics are on his tail. It seems far too easy to criticize the expected failures than to promote anticipated success. Are we going to fail simply because this time we chose to elect the better man – the more honorable, even-keeled, gracious man – to the highest of offices?
And what of the music industry? Hideous contracts from despicable managers have embittered rock’s originators for decades. But these managers turned folks like Little Richard and others into true icons. Folks like Suge Knight hardly win awards for congeniality, but look at the output his roster of artists created.
In my own career, I strive to be a nice guy. I hate watching good people get screwed over. But the people that seem the most soulless, the most contrived, and the least interesting are also the ones that too often move up the ladder.
It really makes me wonder – should I be pissing people off?
