Navigating The Corporate Jungle

Here’s how to spot all the wild animals” and their corresponding behaviours.

- EROEN KRAAIJENBRINK

If you’re well versed in management literature, you’ll likely be familiar with various animal metaphors or acronyms. From Ken Blanchard’s “seagull management” in his 1985 book Leadership and the One Minute Manager, to Avinash Kaushik coining HIPPO in his 2007 book Web Analytics: An Hour a Day, animals have been a cute way to make a caricature of frustrating personalities or management styles in the workplace.

The Management Zoo framework compiles these acronyms, and offers a comprehensive overview of various personalities that can poison the work environment or results.

WATCHING YOURSELF

Recognising these animals is the first step towards addressing their impact in the workplace. But first, turn the lens inwards: Do you exhibit any of these traits?