Tristan - you continue to engage and create thought wherever you go!  Thanks for a great post.  And the comments have been wonderfully enlightening, as well.

I agree with your response that "the conventional promotional path emphasizes experience. But in a world that’s changing at a blurry rate, I think that particular experience in a job may not be the best predictor of success."  Most companies promote those who have done the work well, rather than look for the visionary who can take the work to the next level, and has the passion to wrap themselves in the idea and the process.  This limits us to "doing what we have always done".

Vision, values and deep and abiding respect for others.  That is what I looked for as I promoted and mentored leaders within my organization.  Those who operated from that perspective did extremely well.

Thank you again for a wonderful post.

Georgia