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Our faltering economy and job market has taught our generation one thing: to be successful, we must have a tremendous hunger to achieve, and in order to achieve, we must impress.

But what’s the most effective way to impress?

In October of last year, William Deresiewicz delivered his speech “Solitude and Leadership” to the plebe class at the United States Military Academy at West Point. In it he encourages students to redefine what being a leader means.

He points out the dilemma that discourages many, “Why is it so often that the best people are stuck in the middle and the people who are running things — the leaders — are the mediocrities? Because excellence isn’t usually what gets you up the greasy pole. What gets you up is a talent for maneuvering. Kissing up to the people above you, kicking down the people below you. Pleasing your teachers, pleasing your superiors, picking a powerful mentor and riding his coattails until it’s time to stab him in the back."

He further asserts that some business communities especially encourage “climb[ing] the greasy pole” rather than developing their own sense of leadership.

Such a pole serves as vivid representation.

Are we polished professionals/students or are we simply more privileged strippers? Are we grinding away solely for other’s approval? Do we only rub against the people that we can get the most out of?

Perhaps America is in such a crisis right now because professionals don’t know how to create anymore; they only know how to take. Instead of crafting original thoughts, people rely on tradition — we only know to keep the routine going. In Deresiewicz’s opinion, we’ve bred those “Who can answer questions, but don’t know how to ask them. Who can fulfill goals, but don’t know how to set them. Who think about how to get things done, but not whether they’re worth doing in the first place.”

People are dispirited from developing their own passion and purpose because of the rigor and concentration this entails. Too often, we’re weighed down by robotic regimentation and routine, and as practical responsibilities overwhelm, idealism is squelched.

In response to Deresiewicz’s speech, ASU professor Dr. John Millikin said, “In my own experience in business in Fortune 100 firms, I can understand the cynical observation that occasionally the wrong people are moved ahead. Most of the time, however, these people are discovered.”

In order to encourage ethical behavior in his students, Millikin said, “I try to underscore to students that building positive relationships and developing effective two-way communication skills are essential in any career, especially leadership. After using solitude and creativity to develop innovative solutions to challenges, you still have to have the skills to gain support of others.”

Business classes today foster a sense of direction and independent thought rather than manipulation and deceit. From witnessing too many business scandals and downfalls, such as Wall Street and Enron, it’s clear that using an exploitative strategy is shameful and unfulfilling. As Deresiewicz notes, the people who exhibit creativity, values and respectability are the ones who rise to the top and ultimately stay there.

Also in response to an excerpt of Deresiewicz’s speech, business student Kelley Smith explained, “Admittedly, it's often not what you know, but who you know, that can get your foot in the door for different internships and positions within a company… I don't consider networking to be a sneaky business tactic of sorts. It's simply using your resources to utilize every opportunity thrown your way to give yourself a better chance at being hired or moving forward with a company.”

There is no way to instruct a person in professional trustworthiness and respectability in a classroom, and W.P. Carey does not try to. Business savvy can only be learned through experience, and the W.P Carey community allows for business hopefuls to have a taste of what should be expected and wanted in their careers.

Our generation has remarkable potential if we are able to ensure that self-governing thought does not become obsolete. Because of the economic hardships that most are facing, people are ready to take on the challenge to consider situations autonomously and explore the essence of leadership, ethics and social responsibility.

It may seem that thinking for yourself is a death sentence in a bureaucracy, but now, more than ever, decisions need to be made with moral courage, not desperation.

Reach the columnist at mgrichar@asu.edu


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