 |
Snakes in Suits -
The Matt Lauer Syndrome
A day doesn't go by when a celebrity, politician, or successful business leader isn't splashed on the news with another sexual harassment allegation. Looking back on these individuals, all of them were well dressed, wore expensive clothing, and seemed the citadel of polished integrity.
Yet, behind the façade was an individual who was impulsive, arrogant, and felt inoculated from any consequence. The public is finding out they were actually snakes in suits.
But what does this mean for your career leading or contributing to an organization? It means the public is now demanding accountability, responsibility, and disciplined leadership. On-line companies like e-bay use published customer ratings to warn against unscrupulous sellers. The public is beginning to use "ratings" of leaders to ferret out the "snakes in suits."
Here are 5 strategies to avoid ever being considered a "snake in a suit."
- There are "bad decisions" and "dangerous decisions." We are human, fallible, and will stumble. However, thinking through decisions and asking yourself , "If I do this will it be considered a bad decision or a dangerous decisions?"
- Aristotle said "the unexamined life is not worth living." Take a moral inventory of your behavior. Be honest with yourself. I applaud those individuals who have quit their posts and already spoken to prospective victims with a sincere apology.
- Be mindful of your motivations. Are you doing something because it is "macho" or just impulsive? If the impulsive behavior is there to reduce stress, find another solution.
- Ask yourself , "What would my son, daughter, wife, or mother think about me if I behaved inappropriately?"
- Thinking about an act is different than committing the act. Therefore, think first and act second.
|
"Snakes in Suits -
When Psychopaths go to Work"
by Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare
According to the authors, most workers are honest, loyal, law-abiding citizens, concerned with making a living, contributing to society, and raising a family in a fair and just world. Unfortunately, there are some individuals in the business world who allow the responsibilities of leadership and the perks of power to override their moral sense. The problem is these leaders have access to unrestricted power and seemingly unlimited resources.
Even with sophisticated hiring practices, snakes in suits disarming charm can manipulate the most seasoned interviewer. When it is their advantage, a snake in a suit can display a charisma that can disarm and beguile even the most cynical individual.
Here is a list of characteristics the authors suggest to assess the possibility of the snake hiding in a suit.
- They replace decency and thoughtfulness with insensitivity
- They view others sole function is to satisfy their needs.
- They are unpredictable and mercurial. They can be nice one minute and express unfathomable rage the next.
- They lack feelings of remorse and guilt
- They lack empathy
- They have a grandiose sense of self-importance
Potential victims need to protect themselves from being "bitten" with the poison of a snake in a suit. The authors suggest to not look the other way when instincts yell trouble and to quickly get help.
|
Stanley Milgram, a psychologist at Yale University conducted an experiment focusing on the conflict between obedience to authority and personal conscience.
Many participants later explained that they genuinely did not feel responsible for their hurtful actions because they were just following an authority figure's order.
|
COACH'S NOTE
My mission is helping leaders lead in a way that fosters quality of work life in any organization. Since people spend more time at work than home, having a safe environment is priority one. With all the allegations of sexual harassment and fear of retaliation, the quality of work life has been compromised. We need more courage and less tolerance for any "snake in a suit."
|
|
|
|
|
Solving People and Management Issues
The Heller Group focuses on coaching for senior level executives. We facilitate change within an organization that results in more effective leadership, increased productivity, innovative thinking, and improved employee morale and retention.
|
Dr. Bruce Heller
Dr. Bruce Heller, founder of The Heller Group, Inc., has over 20 years experience consulting with managers and executives on executive education, leadership development, and organizational.
He is an adjunct professor at Southwestern Law School.
Dr. Heller is a consulting psychologist and member of the American Psychological Association Consulting Psychology Division. Dr. Heller holds a Ph.D. and Masters Degree in Education from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Heller is the author of The Prodigal Executive-How to Coach Executives Too Painful to Keep, Too Valuable to Fire.
Read the book.
|
|
|
|
|
