Why Nice Guys Don't Always Make It to the Top
Nice guys may not finish first, according to research coauthored by Nir Halevy of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In fact, taking care of others in your group and even taking care of outsiders may reduce a nice guy's chance of becoming a leader. STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS - Typically regarded as a common virtue, generosity can also be a sign of weakness for leaders, according to a new study. The research finds that contributing to the public good influences a person's status on two critical dimensions: prestige and dominance. "People with high prestige are often regarded as saints, possessing a self-sacrificial quality and strong moral standards," said Robert Livingston, assistant professor of management and organizations at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. "However, while these individuals are willing to give their resources to the group, they are not perceived as tough leaders." The researchers define dominance...
