- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has often been mocked for his awkward demeanor.
- Such behavior might be considered a power move and an indicator of intelligence for the CEO of a high-tech company.
- An awkwardness expert told BI that charisma is not necessary if you have enough power.
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Mark Zuckerberg has been labeled awkward many times.
The Mehta CEO was turned into a meme after a video of him looking uncomfortable at a UFC martial arts event went viral last month.
Zack looked out of place while cheering on Australian fighter Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298. He seemed to be trying to look cool, banging his head along with the music, and Zac seemed to be ignored as he tried to help hand things over.
Yes, he was torn apart by the internet, but one commentator says such sensitivities could be seen as a “power move” on Zuckerberg and other tech CEOs. .
That’s because they don’t follow social norms, and for tech CEOs, displays of awkwardness can be seen as an indicator of intelligence, says Alexandra Plakias, an academic and author of the book.Awkwardness: Theory.”
“Awkwardness is a social cost that can only be endured if you have a lot of social capital to spend,” Plakias told Business Insider. For Zach and for men alike, awkwardness is “considered not only acceptable but admirable.”
Even if such a person is seen as awkward, they are still accepted, embraced, and sometimes even celebrated. “You don’t have to be particularly charismatic, you don’t have to be particularly sociable, if you’re seen as powerful enough and intelligent enough,” Plakias said.
However, this is not the worst label, as clumsy people are more likely to be successful by demonstrating “outstanding talent” or by focusing on a certain topic, as psychologist Ty Tashiro has previously said. told BI.
Tashiro, author of “Awkward: The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why That’s Awesome,” says that by “geeking out” about a subject, they end up mastering it. Told.
However, Plakias believes that awkwardness is not an individual personality trait, but rather stems from social interactions.
“It’s not who the person is, but it’s what makes the situation awkward,” said the associate professor of philosophy at Hamilton College in New York. “This is what happens when you don’t have the proper social guidance to get through the situation.”
Plakias said some people may have more trouble with social cues than others.
Plakias added that leaving people alone who can’t read social cues or don’t respond to others intersects with power and wealth in ways that favor certain types of people.
Social expectations around gender also play a role here, as female CEOs may not be given the same positive connotations by the label.
“Women are typically responsible for ensuring the comfort of others, making sure things run smoothly, and facilitating social interactions, something that men in positions of power typically do not have. I don’t think so,” Plakias told BI.
Awkwardness: A Theory is published by Oxford University Press