The 50th Law (with 50 Cent)

The Insecure Master:
For some people, reaching a high position
validates their self-opinion and boosts their self-esteem. But there are
some who are more anxious. Holding a high position tends to increase
their insecurities, which they are careful to conceal. Secretly they doubt
whether they are worthy of the responsibility. They look at others who
might have more talent, even those below them, with an envious eye.
You will work for such bosses under the assumption that they are
self-assured and confident. How else could they have become the boss?
You will work extra hard to impress them, show them you’re a person
on the way up, only to find yourself after several months suddenly
demoted or fired, which makes little sense, since you had clearly
delivered results. You did not realize you were dealing with the
insecure variety and had inadvertently triggered their self-doubts.
They secretly envy your youth, your energy, your promise, and the
signs of your talent. Even worse if you are socially gifted and they are
not. They will justify the firing or demotion with some narrative they
have concocted; you will never discover the truth.
Michael Eisner, all-powerful CEO of Disney for twenty years, is just
such a type. In 1995 he fired his number two man, Jeffrey Katzenberg,
head of the film studio, ostensibly because of his abrasive personality,
saying he was not a team player. In truth, Katzenberg had had far too
much success in his position; the films he oversaw became the main
source of Disney’s revenue. He had the golden touch. Never admitting
this to himself, Eisner clearly envied Katzenberg for his talent and
transmuted this into hostility. This pattern repeated itself time and
again with new creative people he brought in.
Pay attention to those above you for signs of insecurity and envy.
They will inevitably have a track record of firing people for strange
reasons. They will not seem particularly happy with that excellent
report you turned in. Always play it safe by deferring to bosses, making
them look better, and earning their trust. Couch your brilliant ideas as

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their ideas. Let them get all the credit for your hard work. Your time to
shine will come, but not if you inadvertently stimulate their
insecurities.