The German World War II general Erich von Manstein is said to have categorized his officers into four types. The first type, he said, is lazy and stupid. His advice was to leave them alone because they don’t do any harm. The second type is hard-working and clever. He said that they make great officers because they ensure everything runs smoothly. The third group is composed of hardworking idiots. Von Manstein claims that you must immediately get rid of these, as they force everyone around them to perform pointless tasks. The fourth category are officers who are lazy and clever. These, he says, should be your generals.
When i read this it made me wonder how can we apply Eric’s categories to business organisations.
for that, i thought of asking you guys about your opinions. Which type of officers are you or your boss is?
feel free to drop your comments.
ViNcenze said
Seems to me if you’re not in the fourth category, you’re a sucker. I’d love to think I am, I know I’m at least one of the characteristics there mentioned.
I have to say though that I think I’ve encountered all 4, definitely an interesting way to group people.
Georgey said
“Hardworking idiots” , I’ve met some managers like that, endless meetings, useless projects and bad results.
in terms of ranks, most of us want to be generals but being lazy and clever isn’t as easy as it sounds. You would think that hard-working and clever should be the top ranked officers but if your men aren’t the same then nothing will be achieved since you can’t do everything by yourself and as a general you need to see to bigger picture and you don’t have much time.
The way i see it, be a hardworking clever officer so that later on you earn the right to be lazy but keep on being clever when you become a general.
Conclusion, to be top management, be lazy and clever (Strange but probably true according to Erich!)
Rozy said
well, let’s just say my boss is a hardworking idiot, i guess that’s enough !
Sandra said
hmmm…. what an interesting way of classifying people…. I’m trying to apply this to my team; I think it’s very efficient (I have a lazy clever developer in my team should I get ridd of him? or let him become my general one day?…)
Personnally I’m the “hard-working and clever” type. Like you said Georgey, this is not the best type to be since this would mean you would have to do everything by yourself; but I think the clever part should help you know when to apply the hard-working part and when not to
Bernard said
Does von Manstein mention That there are people who are very moody and this thing doesn’t let you know in wich categorie you place them.
After all I think my boss is hard-working and clever and I admire him very much and wish that ur boss will be similar as mine.
About my self I’m a bite moody by most of the time Hardworking and clever
Y said
The best boss I ever had was lazy and clever. She could get everyone else to do the majority of the work while we went off for a coffee
I think you could devise almost any 4 categories you like, and fit anyone into them and then analyse as best/worst etc.