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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
The leadership positions and creativity are based on subjective criteria. So if you do not fall into society's acceptance of those who possess skills how else can you distinguish yourself but through meritocratic means. But when those who are thought to be the leaders or considered creative also learn to game the meritocratic system they take away opportunities from those who are talented in this area but not in the other areas. In other words, the popular kids always win. But maybe such is life.[/quote]

I think, as you say, that life can be like this. Yet the jock who wins football games is popular, but by high school he usually isn't winning the election for class president unless he's also really smart. The kids who earn leadership positions usually have something else to offer, besides (or instead of) good looks, athletic skills, or charm. What are these things?

1.  Social Intelligence, as it's known by psychologists. At a basic level, it's knowing how to get along with people. At the advanced level, it's knowing how to manage people and get them to do things for you. It's less important in some fields, like software design. And it's less important if you're a recognized genius on an international scale - think Gates, Jobs or Zuckerberg. But social intelligence is crucial for mere mortals, like the rest of us, who want to rise up the management ladder.

2.  Ambition and drive.  Some kids have it, some don't. We all know adults who are happy burying themselves in a cubicle with the phone unhooked, and who have no desire to apply for a management position.

3.  Aggressiveness/self-confidence. The desire to put yourself out there.

All of these are mixed up in leadership ability. So it would be wrong to undervalue these critical elements of "leadership" by writing it off as a mere popularity contest dependent on looks and charm. Colleges understand this.[/quote]

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