In Which We Hear from the Gammas
How it feels from the inside of subject matter expertise
Two days ago, a self-identified Gamma made a few observations:
I am a gamma. I understand the world by the why. If your why explanation is met with doubling down then the gamma isn't being honest. I should not be in leadership positions as conflict causes stress. I am a situation alpha or secret king when the alpha fails. But only to steer the bus to safety until the next alpha can take over. I should not be taking over the group. If your don't want to explain the why to the gamma then I wouldn't allow the gamma in the group. I can be annoying. I am good at fixing broken items and solving problems that require someone to think about the why. I have some value to the world.
This inspired a few questions on my part, which I invite the original commenter or any other Gamma to answer. Please note that if you’re a woman or a non-Gamma, your opinions are not wanted, although you’re certainly welcome to ask any questions that you might have. And remember, this is about acquiring information, not prosecuting anyone for anything.
Why do you believe you are capable of steering the bus to safety when an Alpha fails?
How do you determine whether an Alpha is failing or not? And do others tend to share your opinion?
Why do you ask people to explain themselves when you are aware that they have no wish to do so?
Why do your wishes and preferences have priority over the wishes and preferences of others?
Do you find it difficult to restrain yourself when you know that your instincts are leading you to do or say something that you know will annoy others?
How would you describe your normal response to a) criticism and b) disagreement?
Do you find it difficult to admit you are wrong?
Feel free to ask your own questions, and if you are a Gamma, to answer some or any of them. We are here to listen and learn, not to throw any stones.
Oh, boy. Wall of text time. But after decades of professional writing I've learned how to revise and condense...
> 1. Why do you believe you are capable of steering the bus to safety when an Alpha fails?
Hard-won experience raising six kids, VHIQ, the ability to make quick decisions while others dither and react emotionally.
> 2. How do you determine whether an Alpha is failing or not? And do others tend to share your opinion?
If I feel an Alpha is failing, I'll communicate privately with the Alpha (in a small group) or a Bravo (in a large hierarchy) so as to not challenge their status. If they listen, great. If not, I privately plan for a Worst Case Scenario.
I have acted as a situational Alpha after a catastrophic failure when there is no one else willing or able to step forward. It is exhausting and draining and I hand over the reins with gladness when another Alpha arrives and fall into a Bravo or "Gamma Subject Matter Expert" role.
> 3. Why do you ask people to explain themselves when you are aware that they have no wish to do so?
I no longer do this. I used to because I grew up without the ability to understand how emotions drove behavior -- and the answers to the questions enabled me to fine-tune my predictive model.
> 4. Why do your wishes and preferences have priority over the wishes and preferences of others?
Because MPAI.
> 5. Do you find it difficult to restrain yourself when you know that your instincts are leading you to do or say something that you know will annoy others?
Yes. I feel a sense of outrage that Someone On The Internet Is Wrong! I feel childish emotional glee when I educate people on trivia or point out inconsistencies. I really did go through a "Well, Ackshually" phase in High School, but in the '70's it was acceptable for others to beat it out of me.
> 6. How would you describe your normal response to a) criticism and b) disagreement?
I feel crippling shame and disassociate to stay functional. Dialectic Behavior Therapy techniques allow me to set a boundary and determine if it's me or them. If the criticism is from someone I work for or respect or otherwise value, I have learned to say "Let me think about that for a bit" and schedule a followup. At which point, I either apologize/concede, or invite further dialog.
This is crazyivan498 from the blogspot days BTW. Thank you for your curiosity.
1. Because metaphorically I have on multiple occasions on the job. I am an icu nurse. The doctors are in charge.
They are the alphas and I can't do much of anything without doctors orders. I gave the example in another thread where I involve myself in morning rounds. they want to send a patient out of the ICU because the man currently doesn't have ICU needs. I notice his breathing pattern is abnormal and hes having difficulty swallowing. they end up intubated 4 hours later. Some nurses experienced ones too will just do as is written. I saw my colleagues insulin order was wrong, not deadly wrong. I told her to you should call the doctors to fix that. She didn't bother. They wrote it that way. must be what they wanted she replied. Even if I am wrong it doesn't hurt to call. My expertise allows me to intervene and change the result for that patient. There was another time when the doctor was trying.to place a chest tube, but she turned it around backwards. I pointed it out to her. She was embarrassed. The respiratory therapist tells me later "glad you said something. I saw it.too but I didn't want to say anything".