Are you an alpha male leader? (2016)

“In my role as an executive coach, rather than condemning alphas for their power-driven, abrasive behaviour, I find it useful to start by focusing on their positive qualities…”

Manfred Kets de Vries, Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development & Organisational Change, INSEAD
INSEAD Knowledge: Leadership & Organisations blog, 9 March 2016

“Jeff Bezos, the Chairman and CEO of Amazon, is hailed as one of the most prominent captains of industry.

“(But) Working for Bezos is quite a challenge. He is a typical alpha male: hardheaded, task-oriented and extremely opinionated. He is known to get very upset when things do not go his way, and living up to his excessively high standards can feel like a mission impossible.

“…An alpha’s exceptional strengths can become a tragic flaw, especially when they fail to recognise their limits due to excessive narcissistic behaviour…..

“…Not surprisingly, given their dysfunctional behaviour, companies run by destructive alphas can easily go down the drain.

“In my role as an executive coach, rather than condemning alphas for their power-driven, abrasive behaviour, I find it useful to start by focusing on their positive qualities, enhancing their existing strengths and turning their limitations into strengths. I help the alpha shave off the rough edges, making him realise that feeling vulnerable is part of the human condition.”

Access the full blog here: Are you an alpha male leader?

If this coaching practitioners’ perspective is relevant to you, consider attending the conference to be held on 13 June 2016 at the Ashridge Centre for Coaching, Hertfordshire, UK.

It will be addressing the questions of “how do coaches work effectively with hubristic clients? How do we connnect with clients who truly see ‘no issues’ when they have been referred to us and others clearly tell a different story?”

Find information here: Working with hubris in the coaching relationship