That middle tier of organizations ensures that people are working and that leadership is happy with the result. It has gotten a bad name over the last 30 years.
Focusing on technical talent is shortsighted. True business leaders understand that the people who foster team cohesion—the "glue people"—are the ones who set the entire team up for success.
We turn to classic literature to explain why leaders no longer seek honest input; they actively solicit ego strokes and worldview confirmation, turning meaningful work into a cynical performance.
From the lanes of professional bowling to the complexities of modern business, a surprising lesson in setting clear boundaries emerges as the foundation of credible and effective leadership.