Everyone learns some type of survival strategy in their childhood.
- For some, they became the funny kid to defuse the tension.
- For others, silence and blending in kept them safe.
- For another, becoming aggressive and driven kept them safe and protected.
The wise, self-aware leader has taken the time to understand why-they-do-what-they-do and how their learned survival strategy continues to play out in their professional life.
The dark side of survival strategies
If you don’t adapt your survival strategies to function better in your professional life:
- The “funny kid” often becomes that insincere and immature boss.
- The “silent kid” becomes the coworker that never learns how to speak up and advocate for his or her ideas.
- The “aggressive kid” becomes the manager that leaves a wide wake of emotional damage despite his or her successes.
Which of these three survival strategies would describe you the best? Which one describes that person at work that pushes your buttons?
Did I miss one? (Hit reply and let me know.)
Respectfully,
Paul