Boss = subordinate... in Nature

Who would adapt to the tactics of disguise in corporate the most, the boss or the subordinate? This question has been well answered by nature. As far as the question of disguise or concealing ones own identity and appear differently is concerned, both the boss and subordinates are equally good at.

The science of Batesian and Mullerian mimicry seen in animals are the best example for how the art of disguise is deep among both prey and the predatory animals.

Batesian and Mullerian mimicry are defined as the evolution of harmless species imitating the warning signals of the harmful species, directed at a common predator or vice versa. Best example for the above is the colour appearance of non poisonous milk snake to that of the poisonous coral snake. Both the Batesian and Mullerian mimicry are interchangeable terms if we change the order from prey to predator or from predator to prey. Large number of animals like, birds, insects, worms etc., displays the above mimicry.

Both the poisonous and non poisonous animals have felt the necessity in nature to disguise their identity as one needs to conceal its identity while the other species had preferred to appear as more dangerous than what it really is.

Nature has shown that it is not the weaker one alone would conceal their identity, the stronger one also does. The question of weak or strong is only relative and in the world of competition, none can ever remain as strong or will be weak forever. This is the management essential of nature. Hence, such disguise strategy is part of survival and competitive advantage of species and it has nothing to do with leadership quality.

Certain shifts in the leadership dimension of people should not be therefore seen as dilution of their character or leadership value. You may be seeing or defining some people as strong or weak based on their position or authority. But such definitions need not be true from their own point of view. To remain in the same position and to have the same authority, the struggle of bosses may be worst than that of the subordinates in some corporate. Hence the people in such corporate would display the behaviour of disguise irrespective of their designation or authority or professional qualification.

The eternal truth of nature is that nothing on earth is absolutely strong or weak but making their meaning only in relative terms. The boss may appear more safe and powerful only with reference to the subordinates and not with reference to his or her boss. Therefore all of them display all qualities viz., a boss the qualities of the subordinates and the subordinates, the qualities of boss.

The survival instinct of people in corporate never identify them to their designations or qualification. Everyone have equal instinct and need and hence will have both extraordinary & exemplary as well as cheap & deceitful leadership traits / qualities. The display and manifestations of such qualities depends upon the HR culture of the respective organization.