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Managers: The Artful Dodger

Posted by Jeff Hayes on March 25, 2011 in Archived

Context...

The artful dodger never seems to be responsible for anything that happens

This post reflects earlier thinking and context. It’s preserved for reference but no longer represents the primary focus of AlignTech Solutions.

This is the fourth article in our series entitled Managers: The Good and the Bad. 

Do you happen to know any managers who CAN NOT accept responsibility for anything that happens?  Nothing pertaining to their projects, their products or services, their departments, their teams; nothing is ever their fault? As though woven into their very DNA, this type of manager, the Artful Dodger, makes life for their subordinates less and less valuable over the course of time.

Charles Dickens created his Artful Dodger character as a great pickpocket in Oliver Twist.  We use the term to mean someone who deflects, or dodges, responsibility.

Characteristics of Artful Dodgers

Archetype(s):Any.  In other words, our adopted (Goleman) archetypes have little to do with this behavior.  “Dodging” is really a character flaw.
MBTI Range:SPs are common  (Sensing + Perceiving) but could be any
How to Spot:There are several things to watch for:

  • Avoids accountability and responsibility for anything but success
  • The “buck never stops” with them
  • Artfully adept at making sure $@#!+ never sticks to them
  • Are passionately concerned with protecting their reputation at the expense of others
  • Are driven to rise through the ranks on the backs of others while helping along the attrition of others
Behaviors:
  • Drawn to power and public image
  • Aren’t encumbered by morals and ethics
  • Highly secretive and manipulative
  • Examples are equally male or female
Reason(s) to Hire:
  1. Destroy team morale
  2. Bring out the worst in people
  3. Make connections to inhibit collaboration
  4. Propagate a culture built on disingenuousness
Risks:
  • If the Artful Dodger is left in charge for long, the organization under his or her purview will deteriorate or he or she will build their own fiefdom filled with hand-picked clones.

Final Thoughts

Just writing about this sort of person irritates me.

Questions

  1. How can Artful Dodgers survive in corporate life?  Are human resource departments ineffective at finding them and then tossing them out?
  2. Are these individuals more prevalent in larger companies or in small ones?

If this reframes how you’re seeing the challenges you’re facing, a conversation can help translate perspective into clearer choices in your own context.

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About Jeff Hayes

Jeff Hayes works with senior leaders navigating complexity, pressure, and change. His work focuses on helping leaders slow down, see patterns more clearly, and make sound decisions in uncertain conditions.
 
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