Annoyingly dominant

[jeanne]

Most people, whether consciously or not, measure their own worth by determining where they stand in relation to others. They want to believe that most are in some way 'less' than themselves, so they can feel good about themselves. This inability to find satisfaction and self-esteem from within has several side-effects. One side effect is competitiveness. They are constantly attempting to prove they are 'more' than another person. Another side effect is being judgemental. They are often uncomfortable with people who are not 'like them'. Another side-effect that comes to mind is the tendency to not share knowledge. Over the years I've worked with people who are 'self-appointed experts' in some area of knowledge at work. They are the ones who know the most (or anything at all) about one particular thing, and they consider that to be job security - that the company will never get rid of them because no one else can do what they do - and they also act is if everyone who doesn't know anything about that certain thing is stupid. But...they will fight tooth and nail to avoid sharing that knowledge, because it makes them feel as if they have the upper hand.

Human beings are fascinating, frustrating creatures. Some days I love them all...some days I'm ready to go live in a cave.

[fetishdj]

Most people, whether consciously or not, measure their own worth by determining where they stand in relation to others. They want to believe that most are in some way 'less' than themselves, so they can feel good about themselves. This inability to find satisfaction and self-esteem from within has several side-effects. One side effect is competitiveness. They are constantly attempting to prove they are 'more' than another person. Another side effect is being judgemental. They are often uncomfortable with people who are not 'like them'. Another side-effect that comes to mind is the tendency to not share knowledge. Over the years I've worked with people who are 'self-appointed experts' in some area of knowledge at work. They are the ones who know the most (or anything at all) about one particular thing, and they consider that to be job security - that the company will never get rid of them because no one else can do what they do - and they also act is if everyone who doesn't know anything about that certain thing is stupid. But...they will fight tooth and nail to avoid sharing that knowledge, because it makes them feel as if they have the upper hand.

Human beings are fascinating, frustrating creatures. Some days I love them all...some days I'm ready to go live in a cave.

Unfortunately, all of the traits described here were essential for our evolution to our current state. Most of what you describe are holdovers from our tribal nature - people who are 'not like us' being resented. Its a frighteningly common attitude for all that it is outdated.

The tendancy to judge by appearances is another trait that many share, hence Mastersgem's problems at work being percieved as a 'weak girl'. I know several women who work in very traditionally male professions and they do have to fight harder to be seen as equal, even in today's more egalitarian world. This often means they have to become dominant, become an 'alpha male' to be taken seriously. I may have to join you in that cave...

What annoys me sometimes (as an intelligent person who rarely puts himself forward in work) is how terrible some people who are dominant in the workplace sometimes are at their jobs. Its like they spend all their energy in being 'alpha male' and none of it actually doing their job. Better, I think, to do your job and ignore the morons even if that means your excellent ideas never get enacted... At least you often have the benefit of being able to laugh at them when they fail through ignoring your advice

Tom, if you haven't already, I'd get hold of a Dilbert book (The Joy of Work or The Dilbert Principle) and see how scarily accurately some of the information in there applies to your company

[TomOfSweden]

Tom, if you haven't already, I'd get hold of a Dilbert book (The Joy of Work or The Dilbert Principle) and see how scarily accurately some of the information in there applies to your company

I will. I love Dilbert. Scott Adam rules. I'm sure it'll be a good read.