Bunnie
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8 months ago •
Mar 17, 2024
8 months ago •
Mar 17, 2024
Have you ever had a boss that just thrived, as a person, in their position?
Quite a few years ago I had to step into a managerial role (I know right?! Yes, it was as disastrous as you imagine lol). I knew the job well, and I knew the role well, and I managed… well. And it near killed me. I was so stressed I was dreaming about the job at night!
I’d turn up at work, brave face on, and get the job done. But it was me being someone I’m not. And I *felt* it to my bones. Unfortunately, companies don’t care about whether someone is thriving in a position… they just want results. I got results, so they were happy. But I severely wasn’t. When my boss returned to work, I quit. I was so burned out and so furious at being thrown into that.
However, it made me start to observe differently. How many people were “playing at being leaders” and how many actually naturally thrived on it? I realised that most people seem to “play at” it. And they manage. Well enough to pass. But they don’t thrive on a deep personal level. I have had maybe two bosses in my life that absolutely thrived in their role. The rest seemed… like they were kids playing dress ups. I think the functioning of a work place speaks for itself… some places just bounce with energy, and some tick along meeting what is required. That to me shows a difference between leadership that is working well, or not.
This is kind of how I see Alphas. For some people it is a natural way in which they function. And they naturally bring that energy to a space. But I do believe it’s rare.
As has been widely discussed, because it is seen as a social standing, I think there are many who use it to “dress up” or perhaps have been forced unnaturally (for them) into that role, through necessity.
Self-proclamation is usually a big “tell” for me, like that quote (by someone, somewhere)… if someone has to tell you they are, who are they trying to convince?
Sorry to jump in your thread, even though I don’t identify as an Alpha, @Lambsone. It’s something I have thought about over the years as these types of discussion have arisen, and I’ve observed my thoughts around it shift, so just wanted to share. For me it’s not gender specific, nor BDSM specific. To me it’s much along the same lines as extrovert vs introvert… for the longest time I believed I was extroverted. But I actually came to learn that I had “masked” as one because we live in a society that is geared for extroversion, so it was safer to pretend. The key “tell” for me these days, is whether I feel energised or exhausted. If I’m energised, it’s because I’m being true to myself. If I’m exhausted, it’s because I’m trying to do what I believe is expected, to fit-in.
I think with many of these things, it’s a battle of finding the balance of being true to ourselves vs “fitting-in.”
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