As the saying goes: "The ship carries 10,000 catties, and one person is at the helm." In any organization, the role of leaders (especially the number one) is crucial, and their choices not only directly determine their personal fate, but also related to the rise and fall of "a boatload of people". So how can you tell if a leader is smart? Will he not "get on the wrong thief ship"? The author has studied strategy and the art of war for many years, and has summarized the experience of many strategists in history who "choose the master and do things", and I personally believe that the following three points can be used as a judgment standard.
First, see if it can manage the complex situation
The ability to dominate is the core ability of a leader. If he has the ability to rule, even if he is not in his position for the time being, then he will be an "uncrowned king" (such as Liu Bang during the Peixian period). If he does not have the ability to rule, even if he is in a high position, then he is just a puppet at the mercy of others (such as Emperor Xian of Han in the late Eastern Han Dynasty). So how can you tell if a person has the ability to rule? The key is whether he can navigate the complex situation. The first job of most leaders is to take over the "mess" left by their predecessors. If he can control the situation, he can be considered to "sit firmly in the seat"; If the situation gets out of control, not only will he fall from his high position, but he will even be ruined. To cite two familiar cases, at the beginning of Kangxi's accession to the throne, he faced the "forced palace" of Ao Bai and his henchmen. And after his son Yongzheng took over, he was also surrounded by the "Eight Masters Party".
So where does the ability to navigate complex situations come from? The author believes that there are two main points: First, the guidance of the superior. High-end wisdom and strategy have always been spread and inherited in a small circle. For example, the young Kangxi has the words and deeds of the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang behind him, and the strategic wisdom of the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang comes from Huang Taiji and Dolgon. Second, be diligent and studious. In his early years, Liu Bei was apprenticed everywhere to learn art, so that he could obtain a great talent after falling in the middle of the family.
Second, see whether it can balance the interests of various aspects
As a leader, he is the spokesperson of the organization, and he is also the representative of many forces inside and outside the organization. Therefore, the ability to balance the interests of multiple parties is also one of the important criteria to measure whether a leader is smart. An organization often involves many stakeholders, such as shareholders, employees, customers, partners, etc. Savvy leaders are able to find a balance between different interests and maximize the interests of all parties.
If the leader does not do this well enough, then the organization he leads will be full of strife and internal friction. No matter how strong his personal ability is, he will "extinguish fires" everywhere like a "firefighter" and be exhausted. A negative case is Xiang Yu, the overlord of Western Chu, because he adopted a wrong policy of dividing the feudal after the destruction of Qin, and could not balance the interests of all the princes, so that he had to go to Qi to quell the rebellion as soon as he "returned to his hometown", which left an opportunity for his main opponent Liu Bang to "secretly Chen Cang".
So how can you balance the interests of multiple parties? The author believes that there are some points to pay attention to. First, grasp the key players. The key roles and powerful people who have an important impact on the organization must be taken care of and not perfunctory. Second, the rules for the distribution of benefits are relatively fair and transparent, and do not implement the facts. Third, the use of false name and affordability. According to the specific object, do what it likes and prescribe the right medicine.
Third, see if it can handle the thorny problems
A leader's ability to cope with tough problems is also an important measure of his or her performance. Whether it's a sudden crisis event or a long-standing system problem, a smart leader is able to think calmly, plan carefully, and act quickly.
At the same time, a smart leader also has a tenacious will and a strong psychological endurance. They will not be defeated by difficulties and setbacks, but will be able to stay calm in the face of adversity, strengthen their confidence, and lead the team to overcome difficulties and get out of difficulties.
For example, in the stalemate stage of the Chu-Han War, Liu Bang, the king of Han, faced with the price of his subordinate Han Xin (requesting the title of "fake King of Qi"), did not get angry, but pushed the boat down the river to "make the fake come true". This kind of adaptability is beyond the reach of most leaders.
All in all, judging whether a leader is smart requires a combination of navigating complex situations, balancing multiple interests, and dealing with difficult issues. These points reflect not only the ability and wisdom of leaders, but also their pattern and mind. Only leaders with these traits can lead the team to be invincible in the fierce competition, and only then are more people worthy of following.