Basic Instincts

Basic Instincts of a professional

We have all heard about basic instincts of mankind. These are unlearned responses to external stimuli. I am struck by some responses that are specific to the corporate world and are picked up by almost all professionals within first few days. We are so tuned in to these responses that we do not realize how and when we learnt them. These reflexes are instinctive and essential for corporate survival. I have decided to call them the basic instincts of a professional in the corporate world. These instincts lead to certain individual and collective behaviours. I have attempted to document these two aspects impacting professionals like us, in the following paragraphs.

Knowing the power centers – Now does that ring a bell for you? I am sure each one of you has either benefited or lost out due to knowing or not knowing who pushes the button! I believe that a smart professional will instinctively know where the power lies. S/he aligns with the power centers and seals own careers for better or for worse. You would agree I believe that designated authorities may or may not be the power centers. I have often seen the outsiders influencing the ones in authority. These influencing persons are the real power centers and they can make or break a career. In some cases you see the power vested very constructively. Case in point is the powerful chief mentor of Infosys. He has vested his team with the obvious areas of power. Yet he continues to hold the power and moves things at the Infy campus. Sadly, we have very few enlightened ones like him. Most often it is seen that vanity of the man takes away the construct from the power that he holds. It spawns a bevy of below average performers who believe that fawning over the power center will get them results. This, unfortunately, is the vicious circle. One creates the other and neither can exist without the other.

Aligning with the opinion makers – Often the instinct of those who have no opinion. Sometimes it is also the trait of the ones who are small fish and new entrants to the system. Successful leaders instinctively use the opinion makers to bring in change. It has the best of results in most cases unless there is a Mamta making opinions about a Nano! She did not even realize that the power that she was attempting to break would render her powerless. I know, I am digressing here and this is not strictly a corporate example. Nevertheless, I am sure you get the point here. Stay on the right side, if you have no opinion left!

Creating a pressure bank – This is a reaction to unattainable dictates of the management. It is a mass instinct and pressure builds simply by word of mouth. It is often, merely a perception of something that leads to pressure banks within the system.

Flocking – Birds of a feather flock together! Need I say more? Each one of us has been through the phenomenon.

Ignorance is Bliss – This is seen in most people who do not want to make decisions or take a call and close issues. Reasons are numerous. They may be poor decision makers. They may not feel good about something. They may not have necessary authority. They may be hesitant about the facts presented to them. Whatever, the reason such people generally procrastinate decision-making and refuse to acknowledge facts of a situation. They tend to shut their eyes and assume that a situation will resolve itself. In manpower related issues this can be extremely helpful to deal with insignificant inter-personal skirmishes. But it will prove to be extremely dangerous, if one does not recognize to separate the casual from significant.

“I am a Cat” Syndrome – This is typically seen in people with extreme confidence or complete stupidity of mind. They are engaged in activities that are being observed by all. But our man is either a bit over-confident due to proximity to power centers or un-aware as he thinks that he is working in secrecy. He has not disclosed to anyone what he is doing. Typically a cat that eats the cream with his eyes shut and believes that no one can see him.

Woodpecker strategy – People with these instincts keep working at the same thing with same pace for many years. They carve a niche for themselves out of sheer persistence and un-interrupted application.