Successful bastards
Article Date: Sep 23 2009Self-centred, tough, ruthless and unpredictable: these are the characteristics of a successful person, according to a book published this week.
How to be a Successful Bastard is the work of Adrian Maile, who in his spare time holds down a senior post at software company SAP. Maile denies being a bastard himself (‘I actually think I’m quite a nice bloke’) but argues behaviours most people find despicable will help you get ahead.
‘I use “successful bastard” almost as a term of endearment,’ he says. ‘You have a sneaking admiration for these individuals, even though they are deplorable, because they are doing things that you don’t have the courage to do yourself.’
We all know these people, says Maile – just look around your workplace. They won’t necessarily act evil all the time, but they will be able to turn on ‘bastard’ techniques when needed. Over 15 years of observation, Maile has made a list of 100 such techniques, including detestable traits like blaming everyone but yourself, ignoring those who are unable to do anything for you, delegating (‘successful bastards only do what is necessary themselves’) and being abrupt (‘send very short, de-personalised e-mails’).
It sounds like a very cynical book, or a very angry one, but Maile argues he is simply highlighting truths about our business culture that we prefer not to face. People can use the book to defend themselves against this sort of behaviour, or those who are simply too nice can adopt some of these habits themselves to get what they want. ‘I don’t recommend anyone operates with the full 100 – they would become a highly unlikeable individual,’ he remarks.
There’s surely another caveat to be added here. I once interviewed a company CEO who struck me as one of the gentlest, most laid-back and civilised individuals I had ever spoken to. A little later, a colleague met this man at a dinner: he came across as insufferably arrogant, boorish and bordering on the sleazy (the CEO that is, not my colleague). Of course, that didn’t entirely cancel out my first impression of him, but it underlined the point that above all, successful bastards are good at disguising the fact they are bastards – at least when they meet journalists.
I think there's a lot of truth in your last comment. A lot of people do need ruthless tactics to get ahead, but they can't be a bastard all the time, otherwise they simply won't be trusted.
Report this comment »My personal view is that to be successful you need to be hard-nosed with the right people at the right time. Therefore if someone's doing a good job, you should recognise that and praise them accordingly - why be awful just for the sake of it? But if you're dealing with people that have a lax attitude and could be compromising on your business/your own personal success, then it's ok to call them on it.
The problem with taking any other approach i.e. you blow hot and cold depending on mood rather than appropriation, is that people won't take you as seriously, are unlikely to trust you and may not support you when you need them.
You should also be mindful of workplace bullying: throwing your weight around can often cross the line between assertiveness and out and out aggression. Taking things too far could lose you your job.