[osrec]

That is a very astute observation and I do agree with it. I would argue though, that a lot of mediocre people are actually very smart, but have been trapped under micromanagement all their lives. As a result, they constantly expect to be told what to do. They have the ability to think cogently, but believe it imprudent to do so. I've hired a couple of "non-performers" in my firm from corporates, and once they've been thrown in the deep end a couple of times, they're actually pretty productive.

To be honest, my own senses were numbed by being a yes-man at a corporate job. My job title made it sound like I ran the world, but much of the work I was made to do was simply idiotic. And I was very happy to toe the line because it was easy, you could always spread blame and I didn't have to think much. Then I realised I have a limited amount of time on this planet and decided to do something more useful with my time...