The new dimension of leadership comes from a species of spider called spitting spider as this....
Spitting spider managers/leaders are the most wanted people for the modern corporate these days. For the effective management of people and task, the leadership style of spitting spiders is needed and inevitable.
Unlike other species of spiders those wait patiently for a prey to get trapped in the web, the spitting spider is indeed not that patient. If it finds a prey like silverfish or moth etc., it immediately spits the fiber in liquid form along with the venom at the prey. The liquid silk of the spider binds and coils the prey and makes the prey immobile. Further, the venom ensures that the prey is totally paralyzed. If the silk of the spider failed to resist the strength of the prey, the venom will definitely ensure the goal of the ‘spitting spider’.
Why the ‘spitting spiders’ catch its prey by using such ‘crazy’ technique? With least energy expenditure and labor, it can catch the prey comfortably, when the prey automatically falls into the web. All the species of spiders except the spitting spider catch the prey by employing the ‘wait and catch’ technique. What management teaching the spitting spiders conveys to the corporate?
Many corporate bosses do behave like normal spiders. They never intervene or try to understand the performances and the leadership qualities the people working under them until the performance appraisal dates are announced. They relax lazily and wait for the time to do the above job. If they learn the art of prey catching from the spitting spiders, they will understand that waiting for the appropriate time is not wise.
Active catching is what the spitting spiders follow and it is not interested in catching the prey when it is trapped in the web and struggle for help. The corporate leaders and the bosses must not loose time in knowing the work details of the people. Although during performance appraisal of the people, they will get to know about the details of their performance, but waiting for such long time will never help the organization in any way. If they intervene regularly and at the right time, course correction is possible and accordingly a likely poor or non-performer can be helped to become a ‘super performer’.
It is not the subordinates ‘telling’ the bosses about what they have completed or not, but the bosses must ‘know’ what is happening at the other end by using their ‘sense’.
The message is that the corporate leaders should not wait and waste time like an ordinary spider that the prey will come and trap in the web by itself. They should be proactive like a spitting spider in knowing the weak employees. Only when the weakness or defect in the performance is understood in advance, the candidates can be guided to the right path to ensure that they also keep pace with the rest.
Dr S Ranganathan, ClinRise Derma Pvt., Ltd., Chennai
Learn more from the following management books
Bamboo business approach
The corporate that engaged in the business of bamboo flowering must remember the fact that....
When You Insist on Quality: A Strategic Message to Corporate Leaders
In today's competitive business environment, understanding the true essence of quality is crucial for corporate leaders. Quality should not merely be about consistency and uniformity but should also embrace creativity and innovation. This article explores how leaders can redefine quality standards to foster both excellence and innovation within their organizations.
Understanding the Adaptive Leadership Styles in Corporate Environments
In the dynamic world of corporate leadership, adaptability is often a necessity rather than a choice. Leaders may alter their behaviors and strategies to navigate the complex landscape of organizational politics, market conditions, and internal team dynamics. This flexibility, while sometimes perceived negatively, can be a strategic advantage, echoing survival traits found in nature.
