The Stupidity Paradox

The Power and Pitfalls of Functional Stupidity at Work

By: Mats Alvesson, Andre Spicer

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Paperback | 22 June 2016

At a Glance

Paperback
288 Pages

Age
0

Dimensions(cm)
2.4 x 13 x 19.8

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Why are smart people encouraged to act dumb at work - and beyond? Welcome to the idea of functional stupidity: how to recognise it, why it's attractive and how to guard against it.

Something strange is happening in our knowledge economy: organisations everywhere are encouraging smart people to do stupid things.

At its extremes, this kind of systematic stupidity can be catastrophic: witness the institutional blindness in financial services that led to the crisis of 2008. But we can all relate to more everyday examples of losing touch with the need to question the dubious and criticise the absurd, from unsustainable management fads or the cult of leadership and strategy through to an over-reliance on brand and image. And what happens when we allow these behaviours to spill over into our lives outside work?

The Stupidity Paradox tackles head-on the pros and cons of a culture of questioning and challenge. Harmony and action at all costs can be attractive and can also bring short-term benefits. But, ultimately, the book is a wake-up call to all of us to be alert to behaviours that discourage critical thinking, and to use our intelligence to the full in the interests of personal satisfaction, organisational success and the performance of the wider economy and society as a whole.

Industry Reviews

A book many in business will secretly treasure for its trove of unbelievable anecdotes and spot-on observations. * People Management *
Beat dumbing down: buy this book! * Economia *

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