# From Radical Words to Mysterious Outcomes By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-01-28 When one starts their career, one may be radical and say radical things. These will challenge power structures and poke at the heart of the issue. Within an organization, if one is skilled at saying such things without pissing everyone off, one will likely rise through the ranks. Here, speaking truth to power is seen by the organization as a highly sought-after skill. It's as if the organization says, "Here is someone to keep us moving forward." So, one gets promoted to higher managerial positions. But as one progresses, the same tactics will not work. Speaking one's truth in bold ways only brings ridicule and condemnation by one's peers and the organization. After all, one is in the position of power to do something about it, so being an open radical from a managerial position contradicts organizational objectives. It projects a feeling that the organization doesn't know what it is doing, which is unacceptable in most organizations. In reality, one has little control to change things from one's singular position, but that does not matter now, as management must always project authoritarian control. Thus, one's strength of speaking truth to power is now one's weakness. They've been stripped of their power and identity through the managerial process. If one recognizes this early on, one may choose not to enter management to avoid the whole thing. Alternatively, one must find a way to adapt their strength in more subtly subversive ways. Instead of being outspoken, one must express themselves via mysterious outcomes. How does one's team perform so well without caring about performance reviews? How does one always have thoughtful advice and opinions when asked? How does one seem at peace when others are freaking out? How does one have such a good relationship with so many? When one starts, one will often make a splash. Later, one must turn splashes into meaningful waves to surf upon effortlessly. In other words, producing a good product is the fastest way to market dominance via followers, supporters, and those wishing to change the status quo. #### Related Items [[Radicals]] [[Career]] [[Work]] [[Progress]] [[Marketing]] [[Organization]] [[Management]] [[Subversive]] [[Politics]] [[Power]]