With a keen sense for facts and information, the fantastic office Fox is a highly analytical and perceptive leader. He behaves and acts on ration and logic. Cunning and resourceful, in the wilds of the workplace, he’s aware of every looming obstacle, trap, and pitfall. But, with so many details and statistics to consider, the office Fox can be skeptical and pessimistic, with a tendency to over-analyze and ignore his gut feelings and natural intuition. A perfectionist who’s task-focused and inflexible, the office Fox can also be antisocial. And, his ability to outfox his co-workers is often intimidating.
If you’re a Fox, or work for someone who is, watch these famous office Foxes in action for an up-close and personal look at their untamed leadership style.
Bones’ Temperance “Bones” Brennan
A forensic anthropologist for the Jeffersonian Institution in the Fox network drama series “Bones,” Dr. Brennan analyzes and rationalizes human sociology from her observations and study of the human skeleton. She uses her perceptive talents and abilities to help solve crimes for the F.B.I. Her investigations are detailed and thorough. And, her behavior and actions are always meticulous and logical.
Focused on empirical evidence and facts, Brennan has trouble with her social skills and is often uncomfortably critical of others. Jokes, sarcasm, and pop cultural references are usually lost on her. And, her intelligence can be intimidating and even off-putting to others. She relates more with the dead than she does the living, and that can make interactions – even brief elevator encounters – with suspects, witnesses, and co-workers awkward.
If you’re a Fox who’s good with data but not great with people, develop your social skills. Work to build camaraderie with your staff and team. Spend time getting to know each of them, even if it feels a little uneasy at first. Start by finding common ground whether it’s kids, an office experience, or even a hobby. Say hello in the hallways. Ask about people’s weekends. And, show genuine interest in their lives. And, remember that practice makes perfect. Socializing may not come naturally at first, but the more you stretch your social skills, the more comfortable you will feel with others. And, as your team becomes more comfortable with you, they’ll be happy to give you their loyalty and trust – a must for today’s leaders.
Star Trek’s Mr. Spock
First officer of the Starship Enterprise on “Star Trek,” Mr. Spock has a logical explanation for every strange, bizarre, and alien happening in the galaxy. Intelligent and contemplative, he’s the kind of Fox you want around when aliens invade or workplace problems arise. Mr. Spock does have difficulty relating to human beings, but in all fairness, that could be attributed to his extraterrestrial origins as an unemotional Vulcan. But there’s a reason Spock – with all his acumen and brainpower – wasn’t captain of the fleet. Led by logic and reason, he could not and would not act on gut feelings.
When you’re a business leader, you know you can’t plan for every situation or issue you encounter. And, some circumstances defy logic and reason. To boldly go anywhere in business, sometimes you have to go with your gut. Don’t be afraid to trust your natural intuition and instinct as a leader. Be prepared, but also be prepared to make snap decisions for your team and your business when the time calls for it.
House’s Dr. Gregory House
A medical genius who leads a team of diagnosticians at the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching hospital, Dr. Gregory House is the protagonist of the Fox Network medical drama series “House.” The character, partly inspired by another famous office Fox, Sherlock Holmes, solves mysterious diseases and illnesses that stump everyone else.
While he’s a genius, he’s also a cynic. He’s pessimistic and skeptical of his patients’ honesty. His demeanor and bedside manner imply superiority. Though unconventional in most ways, House usually does manage to solve the mystery and save lives, but he also wastes precious time when he ignores and mistrusts his patients and his team.
It’s important to trust your team and staff. Trust their abilities and skills. Trust their character. Give them the chance to succeed and the chance to learn from their failures. If you feel your skills are superior for a specific task or duty, don’t dismiss the opportunity to teach and lead them so they can learn from you. You can not do it all on your own. If you want your team to trust you, you must trust your team. Mutual trust is important for every team. You can not function well or properly without it, so believe in your employees.
If you’re a focused Fox who has difficulty with trust, people, or going with your gut, it may be time for you to train the wild Fox in you. Join us for the Leadership Instinct Simulcast on May 5 to find out how.
Not an office Fox? Be sure to check back next week to see the famous office Chameleons, or check out these famous office Tigers.
About this Series
As we gear up for the May 5 Leadership Instinct Simulcast, join us each week at www.RefreshLeadership.com to explore the different leadership styles of some of television’s most extreme characters in business. We’ll track office Tigers, Foxes, Chameleons, and Ostriches through the jungles of television’s sitcoms, dramas, and reality shows to get a closer look at the funny, dramatic, bizarre, and sometimes scary side of our leadership instincts. So, be on the lookout to see the famous bosses who share your leadership instinct style. Want to know your leadership instinct? Visit www.Myleadershipinstinct.com, and take the quiz to find out.
Please note, the video clips herein and their sponsors do not necessarily represent the views of Express and are used for educational purposes only.
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