clever people 1. They know their worth. They have tacit skills — knowledge that can’t be transferred independent of its holder — rather than skills that can be easily codified. 2. They’re organisationally savvy and will seek the company context in which their interests are most generously funded. 3. They ignore corporate hierarchy. They care about intellectual status, not job titles, so you can’t lure them with promotions. They may, however, insist on being addressed as doctor or professor. 4. They expect instant access to top management and if they don’t get it they may think that their work isn’t being taken seriously. 5. They are well connected and are usually plugged into highly developed knowledge networks — whom they know is often as important as what they know. This increases their value to the organisation but also makes them more of a flight risk. 6. They have a low boredom threshold and will leave if you don’t inspire them with your organisation’s purpose. 7. They won’t thank you even when you lead them well. They don’t like to feel that they’re being led.