A zero-tolerance approach to talented jerks in the workplace is risky
Even if banning them sounds attractive
One personality type occupies more attention in the workplace than any other. The “talented jerk”, whose alter-egos include such lovable characters as the “toxic rock star” and the “destructive hero”, is a staple of management literature. These are the people who smash both targets and team cohesion, who get stuff done and get away with behaving badly as a result.
This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Jerk checking”
Business April 1st 2023
From the April 1st 2023 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Business
Meet the ambitious wolf cubs of Wall Street
A duo of whippersnappers is taking on Goldman Sachs
What next for US Steel?
The faded industrial icon has few good options without a Nippon deal
Foxconn and other gadget-makers are expanding their empires
The world’s contract manufacturers are moving into new products and places
The signals of workplace submissiveness
Deference is all around you, unfortunately
America’s internet giants are being outplayed in the global south
From e-commerce to online banking, regional competitors are innovating rapidly
Will Mark Zuckerberg’s Trump gamble pay off?
He risks making enemies elsewhere