Examining the alpha male at work
While it is currently the alphas who dominate, Ludeman and Erlandon say the climate is changing.
They believe that many of those who came to power in the early 90s, would not make it today. Why? Because of the critical mass of women in middle management and a corresponding emphasis on collaboration, rather than confrontation and Emotional Intelligence as much or more than I.Q.
"Today's employees who are well educated -- increasingly female and concerned with job satisfaction and work-life balance would sooner quit than put up with an abusive manager," Ludeman says.
"Sometimes, talented people want to work for someone precisely because he or she isn't an aggressive alpha. That's an important factor if you believe, as many people do, that the main function of corporate leaders is to attract, retain and develop talent in their companies."
While Ludeman and Erlandson believe that non-alphas have much to offer an organization, they concede that those who aspire to upper management won't get there without adopting at least a few alpha traits.
They say that perhaps the best combination of all in a leader is the alpha assertiveness and willpower combined with a softer, more consensus-building management style.
Adding that, "Those who have little need to dominate a room can be very useful in opening up the culture and giving stability to an organization."
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