The workplace jungle

Tricks used by monkeys hold key to success in the office

Anyone losing out to the big beasts in a round of office politics might start to think their workplace is something of a jungle. And, according to researchers, that insight could hold the key to getting up the career ladder.

Studies show that the tricks used by monkeys and chimps to survive in the wild can also bring success in the office. “The office and the jungle are surprisingly similar,” says a report in this week’s New Scientist.

‘Both are ruled by strict hierar­chies, they are grounded in the need for cooperation, and complicated by the drive to compete. Add in the risk of hostile takeovers, a marketplace of favours and favourites, brazen oppor­tunism and a long-held tradition of brown-nosing, and you can’t tell the savannah from a forest of cubicles.’

The magazine sets out five ‘rules of the jungle’ that would apply equally in the office. It said: ‘If you’re puzzled by office politics, or want to learn the best way to deal with aggressive colleagues or unrea­sonable bosses, then our wilder cous­ins may offer a few insights into how to survive the office jungle.’

The magazine cited a U.S. study which found that monkeys, just like people, resent being treated unfairly and even go on strike when they be­lieve they’ve been given a raw deal.

The researchers trained the crea­tures to trade pebbles for food — ei­ther a slice of cucumber or a much more highly-prized grape. If the scien­tists gave one monkey a grape and an­other just a piece of cucumber for do­ing the same thing, the short-changed creature would effectively go on strike by refusing to participate any further.

Translated into office behaviour, this led to rule number one — avoid taking credit for work that is done collectively. New Scientist said office relationships break down when work­ers steal colleagues’ projects and that employees should not brag about their salaries.

While it is good to have your colleagues on side, keeping in with your boss — rule number two — may be even more important. Studies show that monkeys, chimps and other primates who spend time currying fa­vour with their superiors receive more support in fights.

Workers can also learn some­thing from the animal kingdom about the value of not bearing a grudge — rule number three.

Chimps often hug and kiss after a fight and dolphins rub. Animal ex­perts said that reconciliation cuts stress and reduces the chances of sub­sequent flare-ups.

Rule number four — be a team player. Studies show that chimps prefer the company of cooperative sorts.

For people, the advice is: be nice and show it. This can be achieved by simple strategies such as buying cakes or making tea.

Even the boss is not exempt from the rules of the wild, with stud­ies showing that boorish chimps have to fight constantly to hold rank, rais­ing stress levels for everyone.

New Scientist said being a good boss — rule number five — was a careful balancing act of control, lead­ership and motivation.

Adapted from Fiona MacRae, Daily Mail

Дата добавления: 2015-07-08