Why your boss behaves like an animal

This new report will come as no surprise to anyone who works with a male boss who is partial to a bit of preening and showing off in the office. Real I Am The Man behaviour.

"a boss who struts around the office, preening himself and puffing out his chest, showing off a splash of colour – perhaps a red tie? According to a study of male managers, he is behaving like much of the animal kingdom, particularly monkeys and chimpanzees."

So what does it say about them and what's the best way to handle a boss who's a chest thumper?

You know the kind of boss -

"they have bigger chairs than everyone else, speak more loudly and interrupt more frequently. They lace their conversation with management jargon and acronyms, in order to confound people. They spend most of the day in meetings, jealously guard their personal space (office with view), and show off their superior gadgetry, including cars and mobile phone."

But why do they behave like this? According to this new report, they do it because it's in their genes. They have a need to preserve themselves, defend themselves and let other potential threats know who's boss - just as monkeys in the wild need to protect their tribe.

My advice on how to handle these office peacocks? 

1. Play them at their game. 

2. When they talk about how much they know, they need an audience so listen and nod in the appropriate place. 

3. When they interrupt you when you're talking, let them and wait for a suitable moment to finish your point. They will interpret this as respect.

4. Flatter them when you can. 

All of this may feel a little fake but what it will do for you is remove you as a threat to them as they'll feel they've enchanted you and then, they'll most likely ignore you and let you get on with what you're really paid to do. Trust me, it works.


Photograph by Ben30 (flickr)