IT'S A REAL ZOO OUT THERE!

Working with people is often more demanding than lion taming. Perhaps that's because there's an animal inside many of us, suggest Frances Norwood and Annette Nunez , professors at the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

They use animals to describe traits of difficult people and then suggest ways to "tame" them. I may not have all the appropiate animals, but I sure had FUN doing this!! Bet we can find the ANIMAL in everyone we know!

BULLS

They come out charging, attacking the other person, usually because they feel frustrated. Because they feel their victims are inferior, they believe they have tremendous power and aften act abusive, abrupt and intimidating.

My recommendation, TURN THEM INTO A WEENIE!!

To Manage Bulls:

• Let them speak for a while to let off steam.
• Sit or stand deliberately and dramatically to get their attention.
• Call them by name and maintain eye contact.
• Ask them to have a seat.
• Present your ideas forcefully.
• Refuse to argue.
• Be as friendly as possible.

SNAKES

They enjoy blending in with the surroundings and striking suddenly when their victims least expect it.

My recommendation, LET THEM PLAY WITH THE DOPHINS!

To Manage Snakes:

• Bring problems out into the open.
• Involve the group.
• Smoke out hidden problems through surveys, suggestion boxes, etc.

CHEETAHS

They burst forth in sudden temper displays (a tactic they learned ealy in life to cope with fear and helplessness), as an automatic response to threat.

My recommendation: BE CALM AND CUTE WITH THEM. MAKE THEM FEEL SILLY REGARDING THEIR OUTBURSTS.

To Manage Cheetahs
• Sincerely try to alleviate their fears.
• Help them regain confidence and control.
• Talk with them privately.

"MACAW" PARROTS

They talk and chatter-- sometimes sense, sometimes nonsense. They feel powerless and think others should behave in certain ways, and they complain when they don't.

My recommendation: INTRODUCE THEM TO TWEETY!

To Manage "Macaws":

• Give them your full attention and maintain eye contact- so they feel important.
• If they have a complaint, don't jump to conclusions before you hear the matter out.
• Ask for facts, and get the complaint in writing.

OSTRICHES

They stick their heads in the sand, handling painful situations in noncommittal ways. They tend to avoid other people and themselves.

My recommendation: PULL THEIR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND AND TURN THEM INTO A FLAMINGO!

To Manage Ostriches:

• Use questions to get them to talk. Don't fill in the silences.
• Summarize what they say, ending the summary with an open-ended sentence
• Listen attentively when they talk. End the discussion if they clam up, but set up another appointment.

CUBS

They are humorous, friendly and cooperative. They agree, whether or not that's what they truly think. Needing to be liked leads them to make unrealistic commitments.



My recommendation: HUMOR THEM. LET THEM ADD LEVITY TO THE OFFICE! (something that is sorely missing these days!)

To Manage Cubs:

• Let them know they can be honest.
• Compliment them.
• When you suspect their commitments, say, "I don't think I could do that in the time you've alloted. When I did that it took me more time."

HYENAS



My recomendation: TELL THEM TO FLY AWAY AND COME BACK AS SOMETHING SWEET AND BEAUTIFUL.

They "chillout" people's positive feelings. They lack faith on other people and wilt them with sarcasm and doubts.

To Manage Hyenas:

• When they predict failure, ask: "What's the worse thing that can happen?"
• Make positive statements about past successes.
• Show your determination to take action and succeed.

RHINOCEROSES



My recommendation: MAKE THEM LAUGH, AND REMIND THEM THAT THEY DON'T KNOW EVERTHING!

They are strong, knowledgeable people whose "know-it-all" attitudes are overbearing. Their ideas are best; yours unimportant, except to point out shortcomings.

To Manage Rhinoceroses

• Be certain your facts are correct when you present ideas to them.
• Repeat what they say to avoid their over-explanation.
• Use questions when you express disagreement.

PEACOCKS



My recommednation: TELL THEM TO LIGHTEN UP! SOMEDAY THEY MAY VERY WELL TURN INTO A PRINCE, BUT THAT'S ONLY IF THEY CAN EVER GET ANYONE TO KISS THEM!

They pretend to be experts, but aren't, so often give wrong or partially correct advice.

To manage Peacocks

• Let them maintain their dignity, but don't rely on their information.
• Remind them of facts diplomatically.

TURKEYS



My recommendation: REMIND THEM THAT EVERYONE HAS A LITTLE TURKEY IN THEM.

They can't make a decision. They're usually nice, but hope most situations will resolve themsevles or be forgotten before they must decide.

To Manage Turkeys

• Talk through the decision-making process step-by-step.
• Listen carefully to identify their fears.
• Show why ideas or proposals are worthwhile.

BEAVERS



My recommendations: DON'T DUMP ON THESE HARD WORKERS OR THEY MAY JUST BECOME UGLY!

They are hard-working and proficient but they arouse other employee's jealousy and suspicion.

They often are underpaid because they don't demand more, and are bypasses for promotion to keep them doing their present jobs.

To Manage Beavers

• Don't exploit them, and don't make them favorites.
• Advise them to channel some energy into developing better relationships with fellow employees.

Know any of these people???




Created March 6, 1999

Updated May 20, 2001

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(Thanks to: SOURCENOTE: Frances W. Norworrd and Annette V. Nunex, "Managing the Animal Within Us" SAM Advanced Management Journal, Vol. 52, No. 2)