ArlenJ.com
August 26, 2020
Young Millennial and Generation Z boys face unprecedented challenges. These young men live their entire lives on virtual platforms, communicate digitally, and are made to question their masculinity due to the ongoing war on men. Generation X and Baby Boomer boys gained popularity in school with good looks, athletic prowess and/or a gift for gab. Boys of the 21st century are measured by their social media presences.
Granted there are introverts and outcasts at every secondary school. But most kids yearn popularity even for one day. The popular clique is typically the trendsetter group in schools. One demented example of this is the 1988 dark comedy film “Heathers.” The film (SPOILER ALERT) depicts how the alleged suicide of the most popular girl in school led to several other teens doing the same thing.
The Science of Popularity
The herd is likely to follow when the popular kids wear The North Face apparel in lieu of Forever 21 clothing. Popular teens have long-lasting memories and anecdotes they share and savor for life. Childhood popularity, however, doesn’t necessarily translate to success in adulthood. A 2014 longitudinal study by University of Virginia researchers followed a group of 184 teenagers from age 13 to 23. The “popular” kids, based on specific measurables, were more likely to exhibit alcohol abuse and criminal behavior by age 22.
High school trauma and success are permanent fixtures in people’s lives throughout adulthood.
This phenomenon is exacerbated by social media. Everyone is trying to one-up the perfect narratives other tell about their own lives. Further, popularity and social status (“clout”) are now measured by the number of followers on social media. Real-life accomplishments and achievements have taken backseats. Social media influencers are leaders by default due to their reach.
Leadership and popularity are not mutually exclusive. The previous, however, isn’t necessarily born from the latter.
Business leadership
The average NFL franchise was worth $2.86 billion in 2019, according to Forbes. The head coach is essentially the CEO of a large corporation. The quarterback is the operations manager. These two positions determine the success or lack thereof for all football teams. The New England Patriots epitomized how these two leaders define excellence for large companies.
Bill Belichick is typically not viewed as a “likable” guy. He speaks in a very monotone voice. His press conferences and post-game interviews are filled with one-sentence quips that many interpret as condescending. No players are afforded special treatment, including his former six-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady. Belichick is not popular. He is not invited to posh soirees and is not someone his players invite to barbecues. But every player respects him because they know he has one goal in mind – winning.
Andy Reid is considered a great CEO (head coach) as well. He’s won 62% of his games in a 20-year NFL coaching career with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Reid is well-respected as an offensive tactician and talent evaluator. But it took him two decades (and Patrick Mahomes) to finally reach the pinnacle of his career – a 2019 Super Bowl win. Reid, unlike Belichick, is considered more of a “player’s coach.” His players generally like him as a person and a coach. Thus you can be a likable person and an effective leader. It simply took Reid longer to find his operations manager than it took Belichick.
ALPHA and leadership
Great leaders aren’t necessarily likable to others. They do, however, like themselves and their ability to elevate others. The ALPHA by Prodigy Mindset™ Coaching Certificate is a 63-day, performance-based program that centers men on their alpha brain wavelengths. Positive self-talk via your Internal Monologue System (IMS) reinforces your own prowess to ensure productive, efficient leadership of others. The certificate signifies conscious command and the ability to elevate, uplift and motivate due to mastery of your alpha brain.
Learn more about the ALPHA by Prodigy Mindset™ Coaching Certificate today.