Good post, hard to argue any of these points, however, please name one politician or celebrity or CEO or billionaire or even a tenured professor at a major university who isn't narcissistic. It comes with the territory.
In a perfect world perhaps, but to be fair, we need to agree on a non-subjective definition of "leadership" and "ego" which may result in the inclusion of people that were "successful" (also subjective). There are numerous historical examples of leaders that were loved and loathed at the same time by different constituencies. They were
extremely effective given the appropriate context at war, politics, sports, media, theater, cinema, art, religion and academia despite their oversized egos.
As for ego, we should read this excellent Forbes article on ego as an impediment to leadership and consider suggestion #1 Let go of being right all the time.
An interesting perspective is how possible is it for ideas popular at substack to delve into elite politicians sphere.Trump going at lex's podcast suggests this is not a far fetched reality.An article here that goes viral can certainly have an impact.For better or worse,alternative media may end up playing the role of churches/universities nudging public oponion in the future(won't touch AI now on this),that is sth to think about
The premise that NATO expansion is to blame is popular amongst these subscribing to Mearsheimers theories. I am not going to argue how wrong he has been, certainly one can look at his forecasts vs outcomes and easily conclude that track record is bad. The fact that Ukr is fighting 3 years on is prima facie evidence thereof. Now what is my evidence that premise is wrong u ask?
This is a small expose on longer speech made by Prigozhin, person who was at the planning table. So rather than listen to Brentwood dwelling freedom fighter RFK, who subscribes to Mearshiemer theories, I go to the source. I suggest finding the longer version of Peigozhin’s speech. How do I know he is telling the truth? He was about to embark on a death march, Russians have tradition of confession before presumed death.
Now, if premise of aggression is off, certainly so is a remedy. That is what Trump’s biggest problem is. He listens to the questionable experts. Good listen is McMaster’s interview to Hoover about his time on administration.
Vitaily, I appreciate your interesting perspective. Personally, I have never read Mearshiemer and in any case, we should evaluate an idea on its merits.
I think the questionable experts are those dangerous one who have advised prolonging the war and bleeding Russia.
How can a nation almost surrounded by aircraft , missile batteries, and tanks not feel threatened? If what we have helped to amass on Russia border was in Mexico or Canada and pointed at us, how would we respond?
Good post, hard to argue any of these points, however, please name one politician or celebrity or CEO or billionaire or even a tenured professor at a major university who isn't narcissistic. It comes with the territory.
I agree, narcissism comes with being human. However an effective leader/person is conscious of their ego and works to not let it rule them.
In a perfect world perhaps, but to be fair, we need to agree on a non-subjective definition of "leadership" and "ego" which may result in the inclusion of people that were "successful" (also subjective). There are numerous historical examples of leaders that were loved and loathed at the same time by different constituencies. They were
extremely effective given the appropriate context at war, politics, sports, media, theater, cinema, art, religion and academia despite their oversized egos.
Some examples:
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2013/11/14/the-most-narcissistic-u-s-presidents/
https://tpd.edu.au/famous-leaders-of-the-world/
As for ego, we should read this excellent Forbes article on ego as an impediment to leadership and consider suggestion #1 Let go of being right all the time.
I have to admit you may be right. 😉
Forbes article link:https://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypercy/2023/05/11/a-blessing-and-a-curse-how-can-leaders-manage-their-egos/
Thanks for the food for thought reads, David.
Shared. A good summation of America & what Trump will bring to his presidency
An interesting perspective is how possible is it for ideas popular at substack to delve into elite politicians sphere.Trump going at lex's podcast suggests this is not a far fetched reality.An article here that goes viral can certainly have an impact.For better or worse,alternative media may end up playing the role of churches/universities nudging public oponion in the future(won't touch AI now on this),that is sth to think about
Christos, I appreciate your hopeful point about the new media.
The premise that NATO expansion is to blame is popular amongst these subscribing to Mearsheimers theories. I am not going to argue how wrong he has been, certainly one can look at his forecasts vs outcomes and easily conclude that track record is bad. The fact that Ukr is fighting 3 years on is prima facie evidence thereof. Now what is my evidence that premise is wrong u ask?
https://youtu.be/T-c0SyeMQuo
This is a small expose on longer speech made by Prigozhin, person who was at the planning table. So rather than listen to Brentwood dwelling freedom fighter RFK, who subscribes to Mearshiemer theories, I go to the source. I suggest finding the longer version of Peigozhin’s speech. How do I know he is telling the truth? He was about to embark on a death march, Russians have tradition of confession before presumed death.
Now, if premise of aggression is off, certainly so is a remedy. That is what Trump’s biggest problem is. He listens to the questionable experts. Good listen is McMaster’s interview to Hoover about his time on administration.
Vitaily, I appreciate your interesting perspective. Personally, I have never read Mearshiemer and in any case, we should evaluate an idea on its merits.
I think the questionable experts are those dangerous one who have advised prolonging the war and bleeding Russia.
How can a nation almost surrounded by aircraft , missile batteries, and tanks not feel threatened? If what we have helped to amass on Russia border was in Mexico or Canada and pointed at us, how would we respond?
McMaster is often called out for his deficiencies. Trump also listened to the “questionable expert” McMaster. McMaster undermined Trump.