Comments on: The Rise of the Worker Bee – Politician Mutation

By: Fiona

Fiona — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:52:47 +0000

Alain, you make some really good points here. I’ve always thought of these people you describe as busy workers – people busy looking busy but doing nothing more than using all their energy in looking busy. Real worher bees are fabulous to work with – a little bit of coaching and guidance and they do fabulous work and feel good about themselves and their spot in the team. Plus with a bit of coaching they don’t need you to notice their efforts, they get on with them and report back in when they’ve got some news. That’s real work in my opinion.

By: SergeK

SergeK — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:01:47 +0000

I always thought, it works the other way around – you’ll never be promoted if you are competent in what you are doing and doing it good

But seriously, I wouldn’t classify employees as you do with insects. “Mutations” really depend on how management behave with its people. Pay no attention to aspirant’s effort and he will be join politicians side just to have an opportunity to do something for good, or go for survivals club, browsing jobsearch websites.

There are also no working bees. Each person is an aspirant in a family, in sport or hobby. Try to find what is it, put it on a common ground with your business and you’ll get and aspirant. I saw it, when the boss sponsored a tech guy for his “Cancer Council” bushwalking trip. That guy end up as a team leader in a few month.

It’s too easy to loose touch with your “working bees”. You may think they are just love to do their job and have no ambitions. This is wrong, they simply don’t have interest in your business. Give them opportunity to be involved, be closer, let them feel like a large family (and understand the power of 500+ people family). Respect every one of them (don’t just show respect, but do respect) and they will pay back.

However, some companies don’t need a lot of aspirants. “Stars” and “Question marks” (by BCG classification) do. But “Cows” do not. Probably, that’s why there are a lot of politics in a large established companies. Politicians are easier to direct, they are relatively cheap and loyal if given the opportunity to survive.

By: Scott Savage

Scott Savage — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:24:13 +0000

One of the major reasons I left my last company was due to a workplace psychopath. They can slip through the cracks when they are able to manipulate even senior management into thinking they do a good job. I genuinely believe he was burned out, but mostly because he was constantly covering up his mistakes and inadequacies. In my case they were evetnually exposed, but senior management had become their only supporter and had isolated themselves in the process. Nice way to self-destruct a company.

By: Trish van Tussenbroek

Trish van Tussenbroek — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:01:18 +0000

Alain, thats a brilliant point. If you want another interesting read, check out “Working with Monsters” by John Clake. He shows another type again.

The book description is essentially:

Workplace psychopaths exist in a variety of workplaces. They are individuals who manipulate their way through life and leave an indelible mark on both their victims and society. They are destructive men and women – cunning, self-centered, ruthless and terrifying. They make working life a living hell for many of us. What motivates these individuals? How can you protect yourself from these monsters who hide behind a veneer of respectability? Working With Monsters provides a fascinating insight into the mind of the workplace psychopath.

Sadly this was something that I saw a bit of when I worked in a previous industry and they are scary to watch in action. They not only follow a Peter Principal of sorts, but they destroy people as they step on them on their way to the top.

I highly recommend the book. It is very insightful but I must say, it makes you take a second look at people for a little while. Very Matrix!