It’s also notable that the math guy has extra power in highly technical startups. This has resulted in Silicon Valley placing very high value on him compared to more mature businesses and industries. The brilliant asshole is more of a liability than an asset at GE, they’ll be fine without him (ok they won’t, but the MBAs made it so they wouldn’t be fine with him). The size of the venture heavily limits how much benefit a single engineer can provide, and a culture of putting up with it can result in hefty lawsuits.
It’s also notable that the math guy has extra power in highly technical startups. This has resulted in Silicon Valley placing very high value on him compared to more mature businesses and industries. The brilliant asshole is more of a liability than an asset at GE, they’ll be fine without him (ok they won’t, but the MBAs made it so they wouldn’t be fine with him). The size of the venture heavily limits how much benefit a single engineer can provide, and a culture of putting up with it can result in hefty lawsuits.