How Executive Worship Murders Your Success

Faithful on the Clock is a podcast with the mission of getting your work and faith aligned. We want you to understand Who you're serving and why so you can get more joy and legacy from every minute spent on the clock. Thanks for joining us and taking this step toward a more fulfilling job and relationship with God!Want to join us on social media? We'd love to have you stay up-to-date with the show on all our platforms!TwitterFacebookPinterestInstagramLinkedInYouTubeIn this episode...How Executive Worship Murders Your Success https://faithfulontheclock.com/how-executive-worship-murders-your-success Episode 43 of the Faithful on the Clock challenges the popular practice of executive worship. Find out what this habit is and how breaking it can boost your career.Timestamps:[00:05] - Intro[00:32] - A post online by a woman made me wonder why we have some executives that are simultaneously worshipped on pedestals (really popular) but also hated in other circles.[01:24] - Many executives want shortcuts to success because of cultural constructs and look at people like Jeff Bezos as proof a shortcut or copying the exceptions can work.[02:26] - It’s normal to want someone to look up to, but we’ve also been conditioned to believe in versions of the great man theory.[04:22] - The great man theory is problematic because it puts people on a pedestal even though new research shows people become more likable if they are flawed and, subsequently, relatable (the pratfall effect).[05:18] - A study involving the accomplishments of famous scientists demonstrated the pratfall effect. [06:17] - The business world is aware of the pratfall effect, but there is a clash between pratfall and great man that’s very confusing for workers. Workers are fed up with the “perfect” examples offered that contradict pratfall, especially as leaders stress the need for authenticity.[08:06] - Executive worship holds you back because it forces you to focus on someone you can’t even relate to. The antidote is to find leaders in your own community who can give you time and who understand you.[09:02] - Dr. Anne Bradley honed in on Romans 15:1-2 to show the characteristics of a real hero.[09:32] - Asking yourself questions based on Romans 15:1-2 can help you filter mentor choices and find a better match. The mentors who are ideal are the ones who set their ego aside and chose to help others in empathy.[11:15] - Everyone praised Goliath, but David ended up defeating him. Look for the Davids you can follow, or be one yourself.[12:26] - Prayer[13:00] - Outro/What’s coming up nextKey takeaways:An online post about Elon Musk made me question why people like Elon Musk are both incredibly popular and hated. Cultural constructs make us want to take shortcuts to success. We look at people like Jeff Bezos and think that because they managed to be an exception, we somehow can figure out how to be, too.It’s normal for people to look for role models. But researchers mistakenly developed the “great man” theory of leadership, which is based on the idea that leaders are born not made, and that they have specific traits. We still follow much of this concept and try to figure out what characteristics people like Elon Musk have that we ought to be developing. The great man theory directly contrasts the pratfall effect, which has shown that people relate to others better if those other people have some flaws and imperfections. Research based on the stories of famous scientists demonstrated the pratfall effect in a way that’s applicable to leadership and mentoring. Executives are creating confusion by simultaneously talking about authenticity while upholding old hero or great man leader ideologies. This leaves people without good examples to follow and disgusted with the popular people on pedestals.Finding backyard mentors is a powerful antidote to executive worship.Romans 15:1-2 can offer guidance on what a hero needs to be for you. It emphasizes leaders who set their egos aside to make a difference.Popular leaders who are “worshipped” today are similar to Goliath in that they have enormous influence, ego, and power. But David toppled him. Find the Davids around you, or better yet, become one for someone else.Elon Musk: 'Almost anyone can work and save up R1.5m for a Mars trip'Amazon whistleblowers call Bezos 'out of touch,' say they were fired for trying to protect warehouse workers from coronavirusLeaders Are Out of Touch with Exhausted EmployeesThe Great Man Theory of LeadershipLeaders, Stop Trying to Be HeroesIn Praise of the Incomplete LeaderManaging Authenticity: The Paradox of Great LeadershipGreat Leaders Know They’re Not PerfectInteresting Psychological Phenomena: The Pratfall Effect – Brescia UniversityWhy No One Wants to Work With a PerfectionistWe All Need Role Models to Motivate and Inspire Us | Psychology TodayHow Does the Bible Define a Hero?CTAs:Identify some of the executives you’ve been worshipping lately. Be specific about why you thought they were so awesome and consider Romans 15:1-2.Look into your own community for people who can meet your needs. Initiate a conversation with those individuals.What’s coming up next:Episode 43 of Faithful on the Clock dives into authenticity. How can you tell if someone’s faking it, and is it an issue if authenticity is all anybody talks about?Support the show!Visit the Faithful on the Clock Patreon page to choose a tier plan and become a supporting member. You'll gain access to goodies like early episode access, newsletters, and more based on the plan that's right for you.Support this Podcast