Sorry, pet
lovers or those of you who enjoy (?) exotic food, but this article has nothing
to do with those four-legged types of animal often referred to as “man's best
friend”. I guess I should admit to leading you into false thinking with the
title, but couldn’t resist it.
The “DOG” I have
in mind is the two-legged type and here I should explain that “DOG” is my
shorthand version of someone suffering from
Delusions
Of
Grandeur
You would be
surprised (or maybe not) at the number of this type of individual around. I
recently had the (mis)fortune to have a long “discussion” with one such type.
The individual in question told me how much responsibility rested upon their
shoulders, how much was expected to be achieved, how little time was left at
the end of a working week to be a family person – in fact all the aspects of
life were weighted to show an aura of indispensability – “without me they
cannot function” and “only I can do what is correct” were the underlying
messages.
I came away
bemused by these revelations, since whilst I knew the individual did have
“responsibility” I could not identify “authority” anywhere in what was said,
neither could I identify “results” (perhaps because there weren’t any).
And this set me
thinking – if we perceive ourselves as the most wonderful gift to humankind (or
even to those for whom we work) do we not run a serious danger into making that
delusion become more real than it actually is? And if that is the case, where
is reality (or is it no longer necessary?).
To quote from
Robbie Burns, the Scottish poet:
“Oh would the Power the gift to give us
To see ourselves as others see us”
Until next time
(without delusions)
Peripatetic
Scribe
Just this moment switched on. Excellent treatment of a topic P.S. and yes there are more around than we think. (there are 637 of them sitting in parliament, for example). Seriously, anything that can take away the falseness in individual behaviour is great for me.
ReplyDeleteJames from Totnes
Good stuff again, P.S. Don't have many down here like this - they wouldn't last long! Part of the mentality is to treat such people with as much cynicism as possible - it seems to work very well as it gets them "real". Great!
ReplyDeleteMark NZ
James thanks for your response - like the idea of so many DOGS in parliament! I think Mark in NZ has a valid view of what they do to reduce the DOGs to their proper size!
ReplyDeleteHi Mark and thanks. I like the idea you propose as I have said to James. Problem happens when the individual has a very "thick skin" and doesn't realise or understand what is being "done" to them.....
ReplyDeleteJust been discussing your blog with friends over a few beers. I regularly read you but this is my first comment. Adding to what James and Mark have said, it was suggested that the reason for such behaviour lies partly in the fact that people are very often appointed to positions FAR above their capabilities and the only "salvation" for them is to become a "DOG". Sounds a good point of view to me - what do you say?
ReplyDeleteRichard_Truro
From Ankara again - this is very interesting and I am trying to see your views from a Turkish eye. Im sorry I dont have the English words to tell you but I will try..if someone behaves in this way then surely the problem is one in their head and not a lot to do with their work. There could be many reasons why they act as they do - poor education, low belief in themselves for example.... thank you for a great article
ReplyDeleteRichard_Truro thanks for your comment. It seems I'm getting a following down in the west country! You make a very good point (you or your colleagues) and I agree that in many cases being appointed to a level far above their capabilities does lead to the need to appear "larger than life" (in their own eyes). This is a double problem - for a company it means a worker (manager) who works hard "pretending" to work and for the individual in that there is a loss of respect from colleagues.Please continue to comment!
ReplyDeleteAnkara - my congratulations as you have done a good job in saying what you want. You are right, as I have pointed out above - I think your view on low personal value is good as those who understand their TRUE worth will probably have no need to use this trick. Keep up the English, you're doing well!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff again, P.S. I know many such Dogs unfortunately! It is easy to understand why they exist (such beliefs make their own lives more bearable) and not so easy to "cure" them. Perhaps we should try by shocking them into reality?
ReplyDeleteThank you
Lucana