Aspie Sharing: Office Politics

From Willard:

I've had several management positions, of different types. In some, I had to oversee small crews under varying circumstances. It usually went pretty smoothly, but there always seems to be at least one incurable slacker in every group. It's almost like a mathematical principle in physics. Every group of more than two has to have at least one useless goof off.

In several instances, I operated an entire department that was entirely under my purview and control, but some of the work had to be farmed out to other employees who were technically overseen by a different manager.

The problem I ran into as an Aspergian was that my social blindness made me especially vulnerable to duplicity - I sometimes failed to realize that certain people were intentionally undermining me behind my back to my superiors until it was too late and often found myself being manipulated by people up the food chain with no recourse or innate skills with which to handle the situation.

I also found myself frequently in a position of RESPONSIBILITY, with NO AUTHORITY - i.e., a scapegoat. That's when they give you the duties of seeing something done, but don't give you the title that would allow you to put real pressure on the idiots you're supposed to be governing, so your crew knows you can't fire them and ignores every order you give them and you catch all the flack when everything crashes and burns. It's a classic No-Win Situation. Rolling Eyes
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"I don't mean to sound bitter, cynical or cruel - but I am, so that's how it comes out." - Bill Hicks


From AutisticMillionaire
Tons of us aspies are in leadership roles, and of course you can learn to do it. I'm not sure how much a class might help, most of it's natural ability and ones personal expertise in a field but it can't hurt.

Look into the position you wish to fill, and think about problems that could arise with those you lead, learn the company lingo and products used in the field and take the mentality "This is my responsibility" always and never.."that aint my job" and you will find yourself the leader, and so will your boss.

I own a small company worth a few million dollars that I've grown over the last 10+ years, and a small side company as well. It's a family business, as we mostly employ family, and never had outside employees until recent history.

I have run a few non-profits connected to historical reenactment over the years though. So I'll cover mostly non-profits, and why they are psychologically more taxing in many ways.

Serious non-profits (of merit) I've lead.
Founder and former President to the Holy Curia of Ecclesiastical Reenactors (HCoER) -over 200 people nationally
Former President to the Shire of Silverkeep, sca inc. (Medieval Reenactment group) -over 45 people locally (non-profit)
President to the Outremer Society (Medieval Reenactment group) - Small (non-profit, currently on hold)
The Village of Tortosa Project- Over 40 members, we were going to build a small castle and village, but I shut down the project when I quit medievalism. Most likely made some people bitter towards me because some really wanted it.

Not serious non-profits (of non-merit) I've lead.
Former "Emperor of Montana" (Old Camarilla Vampire Larp) -Over 100 people locally (non-profit, no longer existent) Fun game, never learned the rules and ended up the grand poo-baa on chutzpah and charm. (I was also the groups "coordinator" or problem resolver of inter-group personal squabbles.) Proof Aspies can play social politics as well as any NT.

My experience is that running a for-profit enterprise, is completely different than running a non-profit for the reasons listed below. As president of a non-profit, I've had to talk to both television and newspaper reporters and other public speaking situations that I never have to worry about in my quiet nest at work. Work never made me run monthly meetings, or force social interaction outside of business. Work does not involve social phone calls, or small talk a non-profit requires and expects.

As a president of a local non-profit chapter, you are required to fill monthly reports to a national organization, and the collection of reports of your officers. Who are often unqualified volunteers...meaning you need to do multiple jobs like you would your own business. Just without pay or reward...

But unlike your own business you are forced to work (responsibility) without the ability to fire the bad workers (authority) or to do it your own way. Often hamstrung by a national group that's either incompetent, corrupt or a bit of both following their policies.

At work I can fire who I wish, and answer to no one, no monthly reports, no tedious meetings, no badgering officers, no paying for others out of my own pocket. No storing of goods, no weirdos, no people you hate but are forced to deal with regardless Smile . Non-profits will tax a persons leadership ability and patience more than anything.

So Willard hit's the nail on the head, responsibility without authority makes you a scapegoat.. and/or makes you feel used.

Leading a diverse group of volunteers of various ages, cultural backgrounds and individual resources is akin to "wrangling cats". Getting them focused on a goal with their various individual wants, was often a chore.

Non-profits are made of volunteers. Unlike hiring people, your not choosing the best of the best, your getting whoever shows up. This is where non-profits are the weakest, as they attract "folks looking for something to do" and not ambitious types hungry for the paycheck. What shows is empty-nesters, the lonely divorced, the serially unemployed, college kids and the like. Sometimes very enthusiastic, others just looking for something to do. Some following weird lifestyles, section eight, folks on med's, goodhearted but often hard to communicate with individuals. I'm not trying to sound judgmental, I'm just addressing my experience.

They want to contribute...but often volunteers, have "ideas". Most often bad ideas. Always ignoring the logistics, the storing and transporting of group goods/projects and real life costs. Often they end up depending on you and when you end up stepping down, people treat you like are betraying them leaving them leaderless.

I did it for years, it was work and I ended up hating the hobby I was part of for 27yrs. I have no interest in "leading" anything now but I'll run a business. I don't feel bad saying no all the time, as it's my money. It's not a collaboration, it's not shared goals...it's my goals. It's for my wife, myself, and my greater family at large. The only opinion is mine, and everything generally runs like clockwork. I run a tight ship,.

You can too! Remember we pay attention to details others don't...that's why I believe many aspies are natural leaders. We never could fit in with NT peers so many of us adapted to lead them. If you can't fit in, lead. If your asking the question, then your interested in the position and thus can do it. You can do it.
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"I don't care half so much about making money as I do about making my point, and coming out ahead."

From Lammiu:

I was a leader working in a matrix project team. Even though I don't have formal authority to fire but because I was doing client facing and gathering requirements from clients. The india IT development team respected my expertise and knowledge such that we can deliver according to the need of the clients. I think indian staff are known for their obedience. I am Chinese. So it depends on the work environment and team structure. IT generally respect people's expertise especially you're on the client side even though without real authority.

Something beware. Because IT project are high risk of delay. Usually there is a shadow project manager that owns the formal title of a project manager. But the real person with authority is usually behind the person. I made the mistake of misjudging the project manager because of his lack of competency and look down on him. Later on, I realised the real project manager is insulted because of my attitude. So the formal manager is the representative or scapegoat of the "real" one. That's why we should not look down on authority even they are seemingly incompetent.