The collective intelligence we looked at in part 3 is also found in other ants. Experiments with one group, ‘lepticthorax’, effectively demonstrate how one individual’s behavior can influence those around it. By including each individual in the decision making process they enable or cause the simple actions by one to generate more sophisticated actions by… Continue reading »
May
23
DO ANTS KNOW ABOUT LEADING & MANAGING? Part 3 ‘YESSIR’
“Collective intelligence”, how about that as a concept for getting things done… The legendary Army Ants gain their fearful reputation and devastating power because they are driven by an obsessional purpose combined with an extremely high level of determination and use what is known as their collective intelligence. The amazing thing is that this all… Continue reading »
May
22
SO WHAT ELSE CAN ANTS TELL US ABOUT LEADING & MANAGING Part 2
Recent economic woes must teach us all that the quality of our management and in many cases the weak and unethical behavior of some of our renowned business leaders means we need to get back to some basic principles. Some basics of business and some more ant antics… OUTPUT QUALITY. Another ant variety, ‘Rattue’, can… Continue reading »
May
21
ANTS CAN TEACH US A LOT ABOUT LEADING & MANAGING Part One
Who cares what ants do… I’m busy with crocodiles… (‘When you’re up to your backside in crocodiles its hard to focus on the fact that your original mission was to drain the swamp’) So what can we learn from ants? Ants have been around for about 100 million years and in their terms we are… Continue reading »
Apr
28
INFLUENCING OTHERS – WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS – STATING EXPECTATIONS
I guess we would all prefer be “sold rather than told” however sometimes if we need to co-opt the assistance of others we just don’t have the time to influence by negotiation or to engender enthusiasm for an idea or work goal. Often when the pressure to produce is on, the only option is to… Continue reading »
Apr
24
Influence and Choosing the Most Appropriate Influence Strategy
At work there are many different situations where you need to influence others particularly as a manager or leader. So which influence strategy is most appropriate in each situation. Here is a quick basic checklist. Situation • There are conflicting views or needs between you and others • There is a genuine opportunity for give… Continue reading »
Apr
18
Managers as Leaders: How to Find a Candidate for Promotion
A number or organizations I have consulted/worked for have tended to appoint the most technically competent staff member to the role of manager. If this procedure is followed often the best salesperson (as an example) will become the sales manager. The downside risk of this approach alone is that you can lose your best salesperson… Continue reading »
Apr
07
The 5 Sources of Power and How to Become Powerful part 2
Expert power Expert power is based on the specialized knowledge or skills that an individual has which can be contributed or withheld. Generally, individuals are positive about being lead, or at least influenced, by those whom they regard as ‘an expert’. This form of power is “comparative” and the holder of this type of power… Continue reading »





