Special Note: This is a very important blog post. Since adversaries create a lot of stress for people and organizations, we decided to publish this information so interested organizations and individuals would benefit from the strategies. Part 2 will discuss how to manage adversaries. This is important career advice. Thank you!
Adversaries are not people that oppose our perspective or ideas while trying to improve the organization. Adversaries are an opposition that is antagonist and out to deceive, destroy, and discredit a person’s identity, purpose, and reputation for their agenda and ego. In order to be successful in our life and career, we need to be bold and confident in mastering this issue.
We prepare for several business strategy plans such as Media, Communications, Stakeholder, Marketing, etc. Why don’t we have an Oppositional Strategy Plan? Isn’t this beneficial for our careers? Adversaries are in every organization and they will present themselves to us numerous times. No matter what direction the adversary approaches us, they have a common thread: to deceive a person for the purpose of discrediting and destroying their identity and reputation. An adversary has a mistaken identity and will definitely attempt to use mistakes and lies to destroy others.
Recognizing an Adversary in an Organization:
Usually approaches an individual when they are alone. They don’t want anyone else around that could possibly expose their past and negative behaviors. Some adversaries like to bring along their supporters (a.k.a. sidekicks).
Immediately attempts to plant a “suggestion” of “self-doubt” and fear into a person’s mind about themselves and/or what someone said negatively about them from the organization. The information that is shared is usually negative.
Tries to direct, control, and/or influence a person for their agenda. It could be to take sides with them against someone. Our interests are not important to them. Adversaries want control and access to our position and resources. For them, it’s about making others experience loss and for them gaining control.
Needs something valuable from an individual such as information, resources, title, promotion, etc. This could give them a false sense of power, control, and high self-esteem.
Will appeal to a person to take a risk with them on some kind of venture with the organization. Before they attempt to destroy a person’s reputation, they need that reputation to gain attention to themselves.
Constantly flatters a person to appeal to their ego and to gain trust and support. They appeal to your feelings and image to take the focus off of them and onto you so they can deceive you.
Will use a person’s name or resources dishonestly on different initiatives with others to demonstrate that they are supported by them.
Could be mentally and emotionally unstable. They could observe and study someone in their mind and thoughts most of their waking hours of the day and be obsessed with destroying the person to feel powerful and in control. Other characteristics appear to include being compulsive, manipulative, pushy, rebellious, and a bully.
What struggles have you experienced in the past with persons who exhibit adversarial behavior?
How did you handle the struggle?
What type of approach can you use in the future to be confident when approached by this type of person?
Part 2 - "How To Manage Adversaries" is the next post.
Organization Advisors, Inc.