Are You Smarter Than Your Boss? How Did This Guy Ever Get Promoted?

I’ve managed people who were smarter than me, knew the merchandise better than I did, and could execute the job far better than I ever could. Yet I was their boss. And that’s the essence of management: getting work done through others.

Being a manager isn’t about being the best at the work itself. It’s about seeing the big picture, motivating people, removing obstacles, and achieving results through your team. Crucially, it’s about identifying and developing talent—spotting potential, coaching people, and helping them grow. My role was to amplify the brilliance around me, even when it often outshone my own.

I know this can frustrate highly skilled employees. They watch a manager make decisions that seem off and think, “If only he knew what I know, we’d be unstoppable.” And yes, it’s awkward when the people you lead know more than you do about the work. But leadership isn’t about doing it yourself—it’s about making others more effective. That’s what turns talent into results.

So next time you wonder how someone “less skilled” got promoted, don’t ask, “Could I do this job better?” Ask instead: “Could I get results through a team of people smarter than me?” That’s the real test of management.

Being smarter than your boss might feel like a badge of honor—but getting results through a team of smarter people? That’s what makes a manager.