Every manager in medium-sized and large companies knows them. The bears. Influential managers who are firmly in the saddle and can be, or become, a problem for you. So you need to have or build a survival strategy. If you are still in the building phase, you can benefit from the following four steps.
1. Who are those bears?
- First, look at the organizational chart to see who holds a position above you.
- Select them based on title, tasks and responsibilities, and level.
2. Mutual relationships
- Despite the hierarchy, there can be a different pecking order.
- Investigate who has the biggest mouth.
- Whose jokes are being laughed at, even though they are not humorous?
- What is the seating arrangement at a meeting?
- Who is sitting at the head of the table?
- Does the atmosphere change when someone comes in?
3. Still waters run deep
- They are sometimes unrecognizable, but their influence is great.
- Try to find out who that could be.
- It occurs primarily at the decision-making level.
4. Consistency
- It is important to know in advance whether the bear is consistent.
- With consistent behavior, you can make better assessments.
Once you have a clear picture of all this, the question arises as to how you should position yourself. In what way can you navigate the bear club? What must you do or refrain from doing to be accepted or to survive? What attitude is needed to grow?
Tacking
- It is best to tack along with the bears.
- Ensure that you are treated as an equal.
- That you are not a threat; that you support their values and norms.
- That you protect the bear club with your attitude.
Performance
- Ensure that your performance and that of your team are seen as valuable.
- The bears want everything to be perfect and for them not to have to worry about it.
Protection
- The best thing is when you are protected by the biggest bear.
- Then little can happen to you, unless that big bear itself goes down.
- Usually, that Big Bear wants you to be on the same page with him or her.
