I distinguish four types. There are clever, hardworking, stupid, and lazy officers.
Usually, two characteristics are combined.
Some are clever and hardworking; their place is the General Staff.
The next ones are stupid and lazy; they make up 90 percent of every army and are suited to routine duties.
Anyone who is both clever and lazy is qualified for the highest leadership duties, because he possesses the mental clarity and strength of nerve necessary for difficult decisions.
One must beware of anyone who is both stupid and hardworking; he must not be entrusted with any responsibility because he will always only cause damage.
— Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord
I recently ran across this quote and immediately thought of a manager I had. It had taken me a while to figure out what was wrong. He was always busy but seemed to go in every possible direction except where we should be heading. Turns out he was “stupid and hardworking”.
Thank you General von Hammerstein-Equord. I wish I’d read your quote earlier in my career.
Photo Credit: By Unknown author – https://www.gdw-berlin.de/en/home/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78185208