"He doesn't suffer fools gladly" - this is a sentiment I despise. I don't suffer gladly people who claim not to suffer fools gladly. If you are running a business one of most useful ways for you to spend your time is in speaking to the people at the bottom of your leadership hierarchy. You will usually find a mixture of talents ranging from the highly intelligent to the mildly challenged, but they all have opinions worth hearing and some of their observations and insights will rock you. People who "don't suffer fools gladly" betray an intellectual arrogance and a tendency to rash judgement. They may be intelligent, but there is always someone smarter out there, and one thing is undeniable - no one can claim any credit for the IQ they were born with. My greatest respect goes to those who use what gifts they have to the full. A person of average intelligence who reads widely and acquires skills is of more value to me than someone with a high native IQ who doesn't use it. Of course, intelligence is a hugely valuable resource and I always encourage people to hire the most gifted employees they can afford. But look for excellence tempered with a little humility and a willingness to learn. And speak kindly to fools occasionally - you might learn something.
Michael Alec Bryant
23rd February 2008
