The Ass
Most of us have experienced this "Ass" at one time or another in our lives. There is really nothing good to say about this type of leader. They will throw you (and others) under the bus and are the first to point a finger when “stuff” hits the fan, even though they tend to be the most atrocious micro managers. To label them as a bully is an understatement...they push their teams hard, even when there isn't a need. Their attitude is that you are "lucky to be here and if it wasn't for me you would likely be out on the street."
How can you adapt if this is your lot in life? Here are your options:
1. Head for the hills, move into your parent's basement if you have to!
2. They love brownnosers and tattletales, sopractice in this area may work but sadly will set you on a course of misery.
3. Talk to HR to understand how the heck this can happen in the 21st century.
4. Call your Employee Assistance Program, its free! You will need some counseling if you have been exposed to the "Ass" for longer than 3 months.
The Badger
According to animalyou.com, Badgers will confidently enter the territory of others -- woe betide anyone who blocks their path. They sometimes feel the need to assert themselves to gain the respect accorded other leaders, however towering ambitions can cause them to make sweeping plans without considering the finer details of a project or initiative. With such an abundance of self-confidence, Badgers sometimes rush headlong into overwhelming situations and are forced to burrow their way out. Even so, they never go down without a fight.
Overall, these are somewhat overbearing traits, but nonetheless they are fair and rational. Badgers don't exhibit much of an ego and with their head down, rooting for opportunities, Badgers always generate a great deal of respect from their peers.
How can you adapt if this is your lot in life? Here are your options:
1. Don't bother with relationship, they respond best to people who are all about results and objectives.
2. It's nothing personal, Badgers are focused, driven and probably don't really give you much thought unless you are bringing value to the team.
3. If you are fearless...let that person know in a constructive way what is challenging about working with them. Then give them a chance to change.
4. Still go ahead and call your Employee Assistance Program, its free!
The Dog
The Dog is good at making decisions and is very goal-oriented. They excel at building relationships through trust and communicating expectations. They show appreciation for a job well done and encourage their team to understand and embrace each other's strengths. They take accountability for their actions and aren't afraid to take one for the team when need be. Dogs are in the trenches with their employees, not turning them over to the enemy.
How can you adapt if this is your lot in life? Here are your options:
1. Life is good, just jump in and enjoy!
2. Take notes along the way, this is someone you can really learn from.
3. Share the good news, help others recognize their great leadership.
4. Say thank you!
The Lamb
The Lamb’s way of staying safe is to hide in the crowd with like-minded folk. Most Lambs are unreliable at best, can be untrustworthy at worst because they are so risk averse. What they care about is collecting their paycheck with as little impact as possible and getting the Hell- Out-Of-Dodge. You can forget about that promotion you’ve been promised because the Lamb isn’t going to be too fond of the idea of going out on a limb for anyone, not even themselves. Getting clear answers is akin to nailing down Jello and receiving feedback isn't something you should wait for either.
Lambs are tireless and valued workers with the ability to spend hours on monotonous tasks. Skilled at taking direction, their ability to concentrate makes them outstanding for many roles. They are rarely found in leadership positions and may even turn down a promotion if it were to remove them from the safety of the herd.
How can you adapt if this is your lot in life? Here are your options:
1. Be a sheepdog, chances are good you can develop some leadership skills on this team.
2. Lambs often seek comfort in the collective reassurance of the team, so keep them informed on your progress.
3. Be aware that they respect the rules and never question authority.
4. While Lambs are mired in the details, you shouldn't hesitate to look for new opportunities.
