[jayshahtx]

I've thought about this topic quite a bit, and I don't think the root emotion in many "mean" people is, well...meanness. I think it is a strong desire to control. This desire stems from the importance of managing execution.

To be quite honest, if Steve Jobs wasn't dominating, maybe the iPod Nano would have been much thicker. Maybe the Facebook experience would have sucked. Maybe Tesla would have filed bankruptcy. There is a long list of "Maybes" which could go here. From a societal standpoint, it's interesting. Ask someone in 1991 if Jobs in an asshole, the resounding answer is likely to be "yes". Ask someone today, and it's almost always pardoned with a "but he was a genius".

I had this very internal debate with myself throughout undergrad, particularly when you are placed in a group where you care the most for what ever project. The one who cares the most tends to have the most complete vision, and thus will strongly desire the pieces to fall a certain way.

I'd like to believe that not everyone is mean, but I can't help but wonder how possible it is to avoid "meanness" when the success of your organization hinges on your ability to execute a vision no one else can realize.