Napoleon Bonaparte, the diminutive dynamo with a penchant for shaking the world’s foundations, supposedly adhered to the “born not made” school of leadership. Imagine that – the man who rewrote the rulebook on conquest believed leaders popped out of the womb ready to command. DeVries (2001) gives us a peek into Napoleon’s brain, revealing his “leadership competency matrix” – a diabolical little framework hinged on two axes: intelligence and energy. This matrix, in its Machiavellian simplicity, divided officers into four stark categories.
First, we have the Stupid and Energetic. These hapless fools were Napoleon’s bane, a plague upon his campaigns. They’d charge headlong into their grand reforms, creating chaos and catastrophe with a zeal that bordered on the suicidal. Picture them, running around like headless chickens, their boundless energy directed toward orchestrating colossal cock-ups. The aftermath? Blame thrown around like confetti at a twisted carnival of failure, morale shattered, and troops left wondering how they ended up in this mess.
Then there’s the Intelligent and Energetic. These types are the reformers, the movers and shakers. They have brains and they have drive – a dangerous combination. Their nonstop crusade for improvement and innovation stirs the pot endlessly, creating a turbulent whirlwind of new programmes and policies. The ranks, caught in the storm, are left reeling, trying to keep up with the relentless pace of change.
Enter the Stupid and Lazy. Napoleon saw these folks as the lesser evil. They lack initiative and energy, making them harmless in the grand scheme of things. Too lazy to mess things up, they drift through their duties, never causing a stir. They’re the bureaucrats, the cogs in the machine, content to let the world spin on without their interference.
Finally, the Intelligent and Lazy. These were Napoleon’s true treasures. They brimmed with brilliant ideas but lacked the drive to implement them themselves. Instead, their indolence ensured that the best ideas were passed down to those capable of executing them with precision and care. They avoided the pitfalls of overzealous action, ensuring a smooth, calculated approach to leadership. God bless them.
