Page 195 - The extraordinary leader

172 • The Extraordinary Leader

supported by groundbreaking research done by Robert Kelley at Bell Labs.
The research looked at the productivity of scientists. After studying hundreds
of scientists, all of whom were experts in their fields, the researchers found
that the engineers who were most successful (they dubbed them their “stars”)
were not those with the highest IQs or those who were the most knowledge-
able. Kelley wrote, “Our data showed no appreciable cognitive, personal, psy-
chological, social or environmental differences between stars and average
1
performers.” What they found was that these stars performed their work dif-
ferently. They developed strong networks within the organization and worked
with others in a totally different manner than did the “non-stars.”
To elaborate, some of the interpersonal skills identified in the Bell Labs
research were behaviors such as:

● Helping colleagues solve a problem
● Helping others to complete a task
● Giving others credit for any success
● Expressing a desire to hear others’ ideas
● Not imposing their ideas on others
● Being concerned with co-workers’ personal needs
● Using the skills of co-workers
● Working quietly, without fanfare
● Putting the objectives of the team before their own 2

For those who have worked in technical organizations, there is another rea-
son why it comes as no surprise to find that there is a relationship between
technical expertise and interpersonal skills. It relates to the way the “stars”
communicated about technical issues.
We have observed that the most able technical people have sufficient con-
fidence to express complex ideas in lay terms and not hide behind jargon.
Insecure scientists are afraid to expose the fact that their discipline is not as
precise as others are led to believe. To be perceived as being highly techni-
cally competent demands a person who can communicate effectively about
their discipline to many groups.
What Happens When Interpersonal Skills and Technical Competence
Are Not Connected? Recently, one of the authors was having dinner with a
friend who is currently a university president. A question was asked about what
kind of interesting activities filled his day. He commented, “Well, today I had