Alpha Male Syndrome

by Ludeman, Kate; Erlandson, Eddie, M.D.

• ISBN13: 9781591399131
• ISBN10: 1591399130
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-10-30
• Publisher: Harvard Business School Pr

Summary

The business world swarms with alphas. Recent studies estimate that 75% of top executives and 50% of middle managers are alphas - those powerhouses who take charge, produce awe-inspiring results, and bring enormous value to their organizations. But they also leave a path of destruction in their wake. Competitive, belligerent, and impatient - and most often male - these hard-charging, natural-born leaders are often a risk to themselves and their own careers as well as to those who have to work with them.Building off their popular HBR article "Coaching the Alpha Male," authors Kate Ludeman and Eddie Erlandson sound the proverbial wake-up call to all alphas and show how to leverage alpha strengths while confronting the destructive "flip-side." Describing in depth the dynamics of the alpha male syndrome, the authors go on to present their unique insight into the four kinds of alphas (commanders, executors, strategists, and visionaries). Because not all alphas are alike, an understanding of the nuances of each kind provides important clues to how to change this behavior in both oneself and others. Additionally, through practical exercises, checklists, and tips, readers can immediately put to use ideas for overcoming the downsides of alpha behavior. Alphas will learn how to leverage their innate assets while getting the upper hand on their liabilities, and those who work for or with alphas will learn how to get the most out of their colleagues' strong leadership while protecting themselves from all their potential abuses.Ludeman and Erlandson share with readers their experience coaching over 1,000 CEOs, presidents, and executives, as well as their deep understanding of the unique challenges facing these high-powered individuals. Peppered with first-hand stories of numerous alphas such as Michael Dell, Meg Whitman, and Red Sox's Larry Luchino, Alpha Male Syndrome provides valuable insight into how to recognize the "flip side" of alpha strength and how to shift into a more constructive leadership style.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Foreword	ix
Chapter 1 Alpha Male Syndrome	1	(36)
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly
Chapter 2 The Variety of Alpha Males	37	(28)
The Roles They Play and the Masks They Wear
Chapter 3 The Alpha Commander	65	(30)
The Top Dog Who Can Be a Pit Bull
Chapter 4 The Alpha Visionary	95	(24)
The Dreamer Whose Dreams Can Be Impossible
Chapter 5 The Alpha Strategist	119	(30)
The Analytic Genius Who Can Be a Stubborn Know-It-All
Chapter 6 The Alpha Executor	149	(24)
The Driver Who Can Drive You Up the Wall
Chapter 7 The Alpha Male Team	173	(26)
The Club Where Everyone Wants to Be in Charge
Chapter 8 The Care and Feeding of the Alpha Male	199	(26)
Achieving High-Level Health and Wellness
Chapter 9 Coaching for Alphas	225	(10)
Making Real Changes, Making Changes Real
Appendix A Sample Alpha Assessment Report	235	(12)
Appendix B The Alpha Scale	247	(6)
Notes	253	(6)
Index	259	(16)
About the Authors	275