How Incompetent Men can become Effective Leaders

Davis Miller

September 09, 2013

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Unlike women, men are known for their ability to overcome stereotypes and invisible barriers in business. But are they more competent? Can they become efficient leaders even if they lack experience? The truth lies somewhere in the middle. Unlike women who are shy and can’t negotiate, men are more courageous even if they have no idea what they’re talking about.

Just because they’re charming it doesn’t mean they’re smart too

Men usually mistake self-confidence with competence. They tend to believe that their poise can have better effects than experience. They’re mistaken. It’s one thing to talk nice, be charming, and beat around the bush, and it’s a whole different thing to stand for that comes out of your mouth. The truth is men are convinced that somehow they’re better than women. Arrogance and sense of security have nothing to do with leadership and talent though. The ability to inspire, support, and guide your team is what really counts. Excellent leaders are humble and modest, they know what they want, and they’re not afraid to dispute their positions.

We live in a superficial society where unskilled people receive management jobs and promotions, while hard-working individuals are mocked on a daily basis. Predictably, the mythical representation of a “leader” features many characteristics associated with famous personality disorders like narcissism (Vladimir Putin), psychopathy, histrionic (Steve Ballmer) or the Machiavellian personality. The sad part is that not that these notorious figures are unrepresentative for the regular manager, but that the regular manager will fail to present these characteristics.

Women have brains, men have…

The truth is a women’s road to leadership is filled with obstacles, barriers and all sorts of obstructions. Yet, the biggest issue is the lack of career impediments for inapt men and the fact that people have a tendency to associate leadership with exactly the same psychological features that make the average man an incompetent leader. The result is a whole pathological system that rewards men for being incompetent and for not achieving a company’s goals, while punishing women for being good at what they do.

Men are manipulative

Unlike women, who are more sensitive, men are manipulative. They know exactly what they want and they’re not scared to go get it. Arrogance can replace experience and whether we like to admit or not, men have balls. They’re used to bargaining, they like to ask question, and when it’s time to give answers, they becomes masters at hiding the truth. Men know how to turn things in their favor, unlike women who are not that good at negotiating. They’re too emotional and they can’t focus on their goals without getting involved.

Men are hungry for power

Men have always felt more powerful than women. They want to dominate and be in charge, even if they’re not qualified enough to lead. Business leadership is not about governance, it’s about team work. Behind every CEO, manager, or executive, there’s a whole team behind trying to make sure everything goes by the book. How can you run a business, make decisions, and spend money, if you can’t treat everyone like equals? Men who believe women are below them in business are misogynists; they can’t stand the idea that a woman can actually do a better job. While it’s ok to be hungry for the power, you can’t become a good leader if you’re not supporting fairness at the work place.

Can incompetent men become great leaders?

Yes, they can. The road to success is paved with a lot of obstacles, and if you’re willing to compromise you might have a chance at reaching your goals. For starters, it’s important to admit when you’re wrong and learn from your mistakes. Treat everyone with respect, learn from their experience, and don’t be shy to admit you’re clueless about certain matters. Men are extremely proud and they assume that asking for help from a subordinate is a sign of weakness. It’s not!

There’s no doubt that men are excellent leaders. Steve Jobs, Vladimir Putin, Obama, and even infamous names like Stalin and Hitler, showcased great leadership skills. In their case, we’re talking about a different era, an era where sovereignty was taken to the extreme. Nowadays, in order to succeed in business it’s critical to cooperate with your peers, both men and women. An efficient team will be more than willing to help you perfect your skills, and therefore your bad decisions could stand a chance of becoming more complete, more accurate, and ultimately, more down-to-earth.