Tap Dancing on Quicksand

The thing that's most impressive about Rick is his ability to tap dance on quicksand.

Rick's in an enviable position in most ways: some seniority, more than a little power - he's a VP, after all - and a fairly decent success record, since the company sales have been growing in the 15 years of his tenure.

But what distinguishes Rick above all the other Veeps is his ability to stay in his position without ever taking a position. And, by never taking a position, Rick never offends anyone.

You might think that, by never taking sides, Rick would antagonize those who want him to take their side. This, however, is where Rick has them over a barrel. Isn't it better to have Rick neutral than to risk having him on the other side?

But, when push comes to shove, sometimes Rick has to make a decision. Hence, Rick is also a Master of the Study.

A Study is important. A Study is necessary. A Study prevents us from making impulsive decisions without Input and Evaluation. A Study buys Time.

And, what Rick has obviously realized, Time solves the decision-making problem in one of two ways;
* Either the problem is forgotten and a decision never has to be made - or
* The problem becomes so pressing that everyone else comes to a decision. Then, safely, Rick can join the Consensus.

Consensus is an excellent technique for avoiding individual responsibility.

The wonder is that so few others have mastered Rick's ability to tap dance on quicksand. But that's why he's a longtime Vice President: Talent will out.