#627: How to Deal With Jerks, Bullies, Tyrants, and Trolls

Competitive Edge

In certain competitive environments, being a jerk can surprisingly offer advantages. Bob Sutton explains that in zero-sum games, where one person's gain is another's loss, jerk-like behavior can be effective. This is because it can demoralize opponents and enhance one's own performance without the need for cooperation. However, he cautions that this approach fails in situations requiring ongoing interactions or collaboration 1. Sutton also highlights that strategic outbursts, when used sparingly, can motivate complacent individuals, as demonstrated in a study of basketball coaches who occasionally used temper tantrums to boost team performance 2.

Being all jerk all the time might not work for motivating people, but if it's somebody who's reasonable and they lose their temper, it actually might work occasionally.

--- Bob Sutton

   

Superstar Jerks

Superstar jerks present a unique challenge in both sports and business due to their significant contributions. Bob Sutton notes that organizations often tolerate such behavior from high performers, like star athletes or top lawyers, despite the negative impact on team morale 3. He points out that successful jerks, like Steve Jobs, often employ strategies to mitigate their behavior, such as not being a jerk all the time and having 'toxic handlers' to manage the fallout 4.

If you're all jerk all the time, people just sort of give up on you.

--- Bob Sutton