This pattern plays out in independent/non-denominational evangelical churches.
Alphas steer the organization. Their stamp is everywhere.
Bravos circle the wagons and find the right churchian language to move reluctant members into the alpha direction.
Deltas work harder and expect things will improve, and will be in the body for years regardless of the direction of the body. Public recognition of these men will carry them for years and years of volunteer engagements. This is how the chairs get moved in the fellowship hall.
Gammas try to teach or lead worship and can be effective when humble and unstressed or toxic and destructive when they find disagreements.
Sigma just leave for the next place, or ultimately, no place, noting the system has perverse incentives.
Omegas can be pulled into Delta by a loving and genuine community, should they stick around after being hauled in by relatives.
I can't get into details but I am in the midst a Gamma meltdown. After I confronted him and told him was I wasn't going to deal with his behaviour and described his behaviour, he ran to a lawyer. When the local small community found out there came to be three opinions; his immediate family who claim he is justified in his legal action, supposed friends who say they don't want anything to do with it, and people who have been actively supporting me which include the majority of the community. Apparently due to this lack of support, I have been told that, "he is currently unable to mentally function." Since it is ongoing I can't get into details and when it is resolved I will share what I can. If anyone would like to know, he is a boomer.
As a kid I grew up on the likes of Horatio Hornblower and other tales of the Napoleonic Wars and thus always had those examples of level-headed, sang froid leadership as my guiding star. It's also why I so appreciated the highlight on Sir Sidney Smith the other day. However, when I got to the fleet, I was absolutely bewildered to see the exact opposite at so many levels of command. I still remember sitting at my desk in the engineering department office when another division officer came in and literally punted a small trash can across the deck in a rage over some trivial administrative matter. So much for never let them see you sweat.
If only I had had a useful heuristic tool like SSH back then instead of the utterly useless Meyers-Briggs framework we wasted so much time on in leadership class. I would have understood far better how to navigate that maze of personalities.
Alphas, Gammas, Narcissists can be difficult to spot, if they’re psychopaths. They can withstand huge financial storms and threats with hardly a flutter of their eyelashes, but a quiet click of the tongue expressing disapproval can send them into a murderous rage. They’ll either murder you on the spot or leave the room before you detect anything. Once you become a target, your life can potentially be ruined for a very long time. Beware, these types exist and they are exponentially multiplying.
Yeah, I think it’s the lack of anxiety that allows them to do that. Neurotypical non alphas who try to mimic alphas eventually get nervous or uneasy about behaving in a way that’d not natural to them. For the psychopath it’s “oh, this is what works? Ok”
I was the target of a gamma meltdown five years ago. He blew up over writing in an amateur press on how to deal with Antifa rioters (Creedmore or .300 Blackout). He scanned my comment and plastered it all over a social media platform. I was getting messages from friends to expect a visit from the Feds. Then he doubled down and said I was sick. A few months later he said on a social media group that he "lost it." Three years later I get a message stating "It is time to bury the hatchet. So and so said you were O.K." I did not respond. I recently mocked a stupid academic idea of his (adjunct English teacher at a school no one has heard about) without naming him. Received another message that he apologize. I did not respond. Gammas are emotionally labile. They are what they are at that moment but don't hold them to anything tomorrow. This guy went above and beyond to make an enemy out of me and an enemy I remain. You can't let these people back into your life.
After experiencing my share of gamma sabotages in the hundreds of employees I've had, I certainly wish I had this knowledge prior.
Now I'm just relieved if an employee suddenly quits without incident. Or if I sense Gamma, immediately find an excuse to fire them without hurting their ego.
"It's not you. It's me."
Another potential topic idea, techniques to terminate a gamma employee to minimize damage.
My boyfriend now husband was a lead for a team, was taken out by a older gamma going through a divorce. Gamma reported and sent recordings to various regulators. Gamma was not initially on the team, he got moved to our team bc he was a problem. I was also on this team, i was brought on a little before. I was able to witness the fall out after my husband left. Company went up for sale and bought by a global company. Harsh circumstances to go through as this was our first real jobs in his twenties and in my late teens.
From what I've seen alphas are really big on loyalty, so when they come under stress they tend to start relying more on those that have demonstrated it, while phasing out the people that haven't.
Can confirm. The small construction company I work for came close to bankruptcy twice, and both times the Alpha owner kept the loyal workers and laid off everybody else, even some guys who were more competent than some loyal guys who kept their jobs.
A loyal and competent Delta is invaluable. In software they are called 10x engineers because they accommoplish ten times more than other engineers (that is not an exaggeration).
An old 10x colleague is so loyal he won't leave the company we started at even though he could triple his salary, work on more interesting projects, and with a less spaghettified stack.
To your point, he's always the first one called during emergencies.
Pretty sure this is classic Delta. In software, mostly databases, several years ago, I was happily supporting four of our customers, routinely doing twelve hour days with weekends and nights occasionally. My female friend and project manager for the biggest customer contacted my Hindi supervisor about me being overworked because her stuff wasn't getting done as quickly as she had hoped. He called me and jumped on me because I hadn't told him I had too much work. I was baffled, and angry, because he had assigned me all this stuff. In my mind, if I had all this work, I must be expected to get it done, and if was expected, I must be able. So I took the chewing out, controlled my seething rage, said I'd take care of my friend's customer immediately, hung up, smashed an empty coffee cup, and worked sixteen hours for the next week.
Amazing. A recent work experience had nearly all these patterns play out in real time.
Scene: a six man team is moving and packing up, let’s say, perishable goods from a warehouse. There’s a time crunch, and we suddenly we lose our scheduled freight transport. Clock’s ticking. Highly stressful situation.
This six man team is composed of a group of four who all work together at the same regional location, one freelancer, and one supervisor (me).
As soon as we lose our freight transport, the nominal head of the four man team has a complete gamma meltdown. Insulting me and his direct superiors (not present), crying, doing all the gamma performance tics because things aren’t going the way he wants them too.
Astonishingly enough, the three guys who work with this gamma all SUPPORT him in his breakdown. They act like Bravos who are trying to please their Alpha. This was the most fascinating thing about the drama. (There was also a racial component to this that is fascinating but tangential.)
As supervisor, I call the person responsible for freight scheduling. The head of that department is a total Alpha. Once on the phone with him, he begins directing me to micromanage all aspects of personnel and operations. When I explain that they are not listening to my instructions (because of gamma meltdown) he proceeds to shout over the phone at them. I don’t even have to put it on speaker.
While Alpha and Gamma duke it out, I take a walk and read some Sigma Game (rhetorical).
The freelancer literally never says a word and works the entire time through this. Even sweeping up when he doesn’t have to. Perfect Delta.
The solution ended up being quite simple. The gamma was nearly fired and actually ended up quitting in fury a month later. The freelancer we ended up hiring on a permanent basis.
This pattern plays out in independent/non-denominational evangelical churches.
Alphas steer the organization. Their stamp is everywhere.
Bravos circle the wagons and find the right churchian language to move reluctant members into the alpha direction.
Deltas work harder and expect things will improve, and will be in the body for years regardless of the direction of the body. Public recognition of these men will carry them for years and years of volunteer engagements. This is how the chairs get moved in the fellowship hall.
Gammas try to teach or lead worship and can be effective when humble and unstressed or toxic and destructive when they find disagreements.
Sigma just leave for the next place, or ultimately, no place, noting the system has perverse incentives.
Omegas can be pulled into Delta by a loving and genuine community, should they stick around after being hauled in by relatives.
"Leaves. Often without telling anyone"
Women get pissed at this one. I saw it happen once, slapping her across the face would have shocked her less.
Ah, yes, Leaving.
I can't get into details but I am in the midst a Gamma meltdown. After I confronted him and told him was I wasn't going to deal with his behaviour and described his behaviour, he ran to a lawyer. When the local small community found out there came to be three opinions; his immediate family who claim he is justified in his legal action, supposed friends who say they don't want anything to do with it, and people who have been actively supporting me which include the majority of the community. Apparently due to this lack of support, I have been told that, "he is currently unable to mentally function." Since it is ongoing I can't get into details and when it is resolved I will share what I can. If anyone would like to know, he is a boomer.
Omega's tend to endure, withdraw, or surrender. "They want X, fine. Take it."
But when it's clear that there is no escape, it cannot be endured, and surrender isn't an option, that's when Office Space happens.
"Father, I trust you have put me in this position for a reason. You know the desire of my heart. Give me the strength of Sampson and a higher score."
God, that last line made me laugh.
As a kid I grew up on the likes of Horatio Hornblower and other tales of the Napoleonic Wars and thus always had those examples of level-headed, sang froid leadership as my guiding star. It's also why I so appreciated the highlight on Sir Sidney Smith the other day. However, when I got to the fleet, I was absolutely bewildered to see the exact opposite at so many levels of command. I still remember sitting at my desk in the engineering department office when another division officer came in and literally punted a small trash can across the deck in a rage over some trivial administrative matter. So much for never let them see you sweat.
If only I had had a useful heuristic tool like SSH back then instead of the utterly useless Meyers-Briggs framework we wasted so much time on in leadership class. I would have understood far better how to navigate that maze of personalities.
Can you explain the "see office space." Is hatching a plan to steal partial pennies from a computer system the omega response?
Milton is the Omega in the movie. He takes the loss of his stapler rather hard...
Alphas, Gammas, Narcissists can be difficult to spot, if they’re psychopaths. They can withstand huge financial storms and threats with hardly a flutter of their eyelashes, but a quiet click of the tongue expressing disapproval can send them into a murderous rage. They’ll either murder you on the spot or leave the room before you detect anything. Once you become a target, your life can potentially be ruined for a very long time. Beware, these types exist and they are exponentially multiplying.
This is the first time I’ve read anything on this site. Thanks for some historical perspective.
I think vox said psychopaths don’t fit any of the normal behavior patterns. Too bold to be gamma, not empathic enough to be alpha or bravo, ect
Good at simulating Empathy and therefore Alpha Behaviour however. Which is why they disproportionately are in Corporate and Government Leadership.
I wonder what is the best way to deal with Psychopaths as Alphas?
The best way to deal with psychopath Alphas?
Don’t, if possible. If you must, then hope they either die or end up in prison (many such cases)
Yeah, I think it’s the lack of anxiety that allows them to do that. Neurotypical non alphas who try to mimic alphas eventually get nervous or uneasy about behaving in a way that’d not natural to them. For the psychopath it’s “oh, this is what works? Ok”
The Omega bit reminded me of your article about Gamergate and the role that Omegas played in bringing it about.
Never piss off someone who has nothing to lose.
I was the target of a gamma meltdown five years ago. He blew up over writing in an amateur press on how to deal with Antifa rioters (Creedmore or .300 Blackout). He scanned my comment and plastered it all over a social media platform. I was getting messages from friends to expect a visit from the Feds. Then he doubled down and said I was sick. A few months later he said on a social media group that he "lost it." Three years later I get a message stating "It is time to bury the hatchet. So and so said you were O.K." I did not respond. I recently mocked a stupid academic idea of his (adjunct English teacher at a school no one has heard about) without naming him. Received another message that he apologize. I did not respond. Gammas are emotionally labile. They are what they are at that moment but don't hold them to anything tomorrow. This guy went above and beyond to make an enemy out of me and an enemy I remain. You can't let these people back into your life.
After experiencing my share of gamma sabotages in the hundreds of employees I've had, I certainly wish I had this knowledge prior.
Now I'm just relieved if an employee suddenly quits without incident. Or if I sense Gamma, immediately find an excuse to fire them without hurting their ego.
"It's not you. It's me."
Another potential topic idea, techniques to terminate a gamma employee to minimize damage.
My boyfriend now husband was a lead for a team, was taken out by a older gamma going through a divorce. Gamma reported and sent recordings to various regulators. Gamma was not initially on the team, he got moved to our team bc he was a problem. I was also on this team, i was brought on a little before. I was able to witness the fall out after my husband left. Company went up for sale and bought by a global company. Harsh circumstances to go through as this was our first real jobs in his twenties and in my late teens.
From what I've seen alphas are really big on loyalty, so when they come under stress they tend to start relying more on those that have demonstrated it, while phasing out the people that haven't.
Can confirm. The small construction company I work for came close to bankruptcy twice, and both times the Alpha owner kept the loyal workers and laid off everybody else, even some guys who were more competent than some loyal guys who kept their jobs.
A loyal and competent Delta is invaluable. In software they are called 10x engineers because they accommoplish ten times more than other engineers (that is not an exaggeration).
An old 10x colleague is so loyal he won't leave the company we started at even though he could triple his salary, work on more interesting projects, and with a less spaghettified stack.
To your point, he's always the first one called during emergencies.
Pretty sure this is classic Delta. In software, mostly databases, several years ago, I was happily supporting four of our customers, routinely doing twelve hour days with weekends and nights occasionally. My female friend and project manager for the biggest customer contacted my Hindi supervisor about me being overworked because her stuff wasn't getting done as quickly as she had hoped. He called me and jumped on me because I hadn't told him I had too much work. I was baffled, and angry, because he had assigned me all this stuff. In my mind, if I had all this work, I must be expected to get it done, and if was expected, I must be able. So I took the chewing out, controlled my seething rage, said I'd take care of my friend's customer immediately, hung up, smashed an empty coffee cup, and worked sixteen hours for the next week.
Amazing. A recent work experience had nearly all these patterns play out in real time.
Scene: a six man team is moving and packing up, let’s say, perishable goods from a warehouse. There’s a time crunch, and we suddenly we lose our scheduled freight transport. Clock’s ticking. Highly stressful situation.
This six man team is composed of a group of four who all work together at the same regional location, one freelancer, and one supervisor (me).
As soon as we lose our freight transport, the nominal head of the four man team has a complete gamma meltdown. Insulting me and his direct superiors (not present), crying, doing all the gamma performance tics because things aren’t going the way he wants them too.
Astonishingly enough, the three guys who work with this gamma all SUPPORT him in his breakdown. They act like Bravos who are trying to please their Alpha. This was the most fascinating thing about the drama. (There was also a racial component to this that is fascinating but tangential.)
As supervisor, I call the person responsible for freight scheduling. The head of that department is a total Alpha. Once on the phone with him, he begins directing me to micromanage all aspects of personnel and operations. When I explain that they are not listening to my instructions (because of gamma meltdown) he proceeds to shout over the phone at them. I don’t even have to put it on speaker.
While Alpha and Gamma duke it out, I take a walk and read some Sigma Game (rhetorical).
The freelancer literally never says a word and works the entire time through this. Even sweeping up when he doesn’t have to. Perfect Delta.
The solution ended up being quite simple. The gamma was nearly fired and actually ended up quitting in fury a month later. The freelancer we ended up hiring on a permanent basis.
SSH STRIKES AGAIN!