Don't Outshine The Silent Voice

['Sorry, again, but these Notes from The Cube make more sense if you go back to Monday and see what's been going on.]

It's probably no surprise to anyone that you shouldn't outshine the boss.

Oh, there are bosses who are smart enough to appreciate any shining star under their banner, content and proprietary enough to simply appropriate some of the credit for themselves because, after all (and it is an honest "after all"), "It's my team: when they do good - I do good."

Still, in general, most bosses are human like you and I, subject to the same insecurities and jealousies and need for applause that - even if we shun the spotlight - we need. We need.

But what about The Silent Voice we've been Noting the past few days - the Veep With The Power who sits in meetings dominating them without saying a word? Sitting among "equals," it should be noted. He's not a "boss" to these other bosses. They are all at the top o' the heap. Honchos. Jefes. Executive Management.

But, in his silence, the Silent Voice Veep is A Star That Needs The Spotlight more than any ham actor in soap opera syndication.

In fact, the comparison is more apt than The Cube realized when writing it: The Silent Voice Veep and the other Veeps are like an the cast in a community theater musical, each one trying to steal the spotlight and show off. Or, to extend the metaphor: they're the kid's baseball team, with everyone wanting to be pitcher.

But, just like the kid whose Dad is the coach - or the diva with a husband funding the show - the Silent Voice Veep has the Prez in his pocket and gets to play the lead or pitch the ball whether deserving or not. He can't sing some songs worth a damn and his curve ball sucks against lefties - but he's not going to let anyone else substitute in. Nope, he Needs The Spotlight - even when it's someone else's turn to shine.

Especially when it's some else's turn to shine. Even if he has nothing to say, do, add or enhance. He can only subtract. Use his Silence to stall, stifle and negate.

Silence, sometimes, is very eloquent.