Link: http://www.etc-architect.com/?p=690
From ETC-Architect
Almost all architects have some good stories to tell about managers that aim to be strong, just to behave like total idiots. My proposal is that you need to aim for meekness to be a true strong leader. If we exercise meekness in areas where we encounter a general mean spirited negative environment we will still be able to entity good ideas as good ideas often come from bad people. Just because someone is likeable it does not mean that his ideas are good.
Most will argue that being meek means that the mean spirited will take advantage, however usually when you start meek and only get assertive once you have listened to all you will have a much better chance to assert yourself as you are properly the only one that has really listened to everyone (all the others are to busy asserting their own ideas), most people will have grown tired with bully boy, the bully boy will not see you as a thread (as bullies usually work on first impressions) and you are most likely to present a solution everyone can agree to. After you have reached this point do not forget to have meek periods even if other will see this as weakness as it is the only way to pick up on subtle ideas, often even your own ones.
