You don’t need brains to be a Boss

In today’s management lesson, we talk about a somewhat controversial idea that suggests that intelligence or intellectual capabilities are not necessarily the most important qualities for someone to hold a leadership or managerial position. Here’s a short story which implies that you don’t need brains to be a boss, which is followed by our perspective on the situation.


When the body was first created, all the parts wanted to be Boss. The brain said, “I should be Boss because I control all of the body’s responses and functions.”

The feet said, “We should be Boss since we carry the brain about and get him to where he wants to go.”

The hands said, “We should be the Boss because we do all the work and earn all the money.”

Finally, the asshole spoke up. All the parts laughed at the idea of the asshole being the Boss. So, the asshole went on strike, blocked itself up and refused to work.

Within a short time, the eyes became crossed, the hands clenched, the feet twitched, the heart and lungs began to panic, and the brain fevered. Eventually, they all decided that the asshole should be the Boss, so the motion was passed. All the other parts did all the work while the Boss just sat and passed out the shit!

Moral Of The Story: You don’t need brains to be a Boss — any asshole will do.


Our management lessons highlight different perspectives on workplace dynamics. While the above story can seem dismissive of the value of intelligence in leadership roles, it is simply meant to highlight the importance of other highly valued traits. Ultimately, the effectiveness of a boss or leader depends on a combination of a number of qualities, including intelligence, experience, communication skills, and the ability to motivate and guide a team. This management lesson implies that while intelligence is certainly a desirable trait, it alone may not guarantee success in leadership.