Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, a professor of business psychology and chief innovation officer at ManpowerGroup, delves into the often-overlooked role of luck in career success. He discusses how luck can overshadow talent, challenging traditional meritocratic views. They explore how cultural perceptions of luck can differ and how individuals can enhance their chances of success through preparation and exploration. The conversation also highlights the importance of self-awareness and empathy in leadership for fostering inclusivity in the workplace.
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insights INSIGHT
Luck's Role in Success
Luck significantly impacts career success, potentially more than talent or hard work.
Acknowledging privilege as a form of luck is crucial but often avoided.
insights INSIGHT
Masking Privilege
People are reluctant to acknowledge how their background contributes to their success.
They may use self-deprecation to mask privilege, attributing achievements to luck in less impactful areas.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Boosting Luck
Prepare for opportunities and recognize them as unique events.
Align your talents with situations that make you happy and successful.
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In this book, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic delves into the reasons why incompetent men frequently ascend to leadership positions. He argues that organizations often confuse confidence with competence and are drawn to charismatic and narcissistic individuals, traits that do not necessarily make effective leaders. Chamorro-Premuzic uses decades of rigorous research to show that these traits can backfire once the person is in the leadership role. He suggests that a better approach would be to select leaders based on humility, integrity, and actual competence, which would also lead to more women in leadership positions. The book provides insights into how new systems and processes can help put the right people in charge and improve overall leadership quality.
Most successful people will tell you that hard work and talent can get you where you want to go. Fewer of them will admit that luck is at least as important. Some of us are born into luckier circumstances than others; but we can all do more to make our own luck, and be ready to capitalise on it when the opportunity arises. In this episode, Isabel Berwick speaks to Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, professor of business psychology at UCL and Columbia, chief innovation officer of ManpowerGroup, and author of books including ‘The Talent Delusion’ and ‘Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?’ Along with FT work and careers writer Emma Jacobs, they discuss why luck is a taboo subject, how it helps the wrong people thrive, and what managers can do to level the playing field.
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Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.
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