Confidence doesn’t always equal competence. Loudness doesn’t always equal strength. Great perspective on action fallacy and how to spot it when looking for potential leaders.
The truth is that controversy sells and people who can play the game of being dramatic always get the attention. The world is not fair, it is a dog eat dog situation out there.
Couldn’t agree more. It is a real shame how the diligent and thoughtful get labelled as “boring” or a “safe pair of hands” (they effectively get lost under the radar) while the dramatic ones get labelled as “charismatic” and “visionaries”.
Action fallacy is THE concept that ambitious, high-achievers need to understand early in their careers. Aim to be effective and seen for the right reasons, not because you are loud, dramatic, or busy.
Well said. One takeaway is that the Action Fallacy creates a false impression of competence and might even lead to rewarding them at the detriment of real performers, who are quietly doing their jobs.
You nailed it: competence doesn’t always wear a cape—it often carries a clipboard, works quietly, and never lets the fire start.
A great way to frame it. The quiet, competent ones are usually too busy actually holding things together to broadcast it.
Confidence doesn’t always equal competence. Loudness doesn’t always equal strength. Great perspective on action fallacy and how to spot it when looking for potential leaders.
The truth is that controversy sells and people who can play the game of being dramatic always get the attention. The world is not fair, it is a dog eat dog situation out there.
Couldn’t agree more. It is a real shame how the diligent and thoughtful get labelled as “boring” or a “safe pair of hands” (they effectively get lost under the radar) while the dramatic ones get labelled as “charismatic” and “visionaries”.
Action fallacy is THE concept that ambitious, high-achievers need to understand early in their careers. Aim to be effective and seen for the right reasons, not because you are loud, dramatic, or busy.
Well said. One takeaway is that the Action Fallacy creates a false impression of competence and might even lead to rewarding them at the detriment of real performers, who are quietly doing their jobs.
Thanks for sharing.
This should be required reading in law schools. Loved it!
Yup, it really should be. Hopefully the emerging generation of leaders can change the dialogue around what gets celebrated in workplaces!