Which ‘Reality Show’ Are You In?

A walk down the corridors of any CA firm will reveal a number of ‘Reality Show’ personalities, each with their own pro’s and con’s. It’s almost as if going to the office each day is like being a player on one of today’s more popular reality shows.

So this issue, I thought I‘d try to categorize some of the key issues with each personality type and give you a few clues that might help you to cope with them.

Knowing what to look for and how to deal with these people will help your career progress.

Survivor

Here, there is always a hidden agenda at the centre of this person’s ‘issues’. They may seem to have formed a good relationship with you and their peers and superiors (alliances) but you’re never sure exactly where you stand with them.

It’s sometimes a case of having been out witted, out played or out lasted by them when their own agenda seems to have taken preference over an idea or suggestion that you put forward.

Their scheming will be their undoing as political unrest is caused by some of their antics, but they’re often good enough technicians to hold on to fairly senior positions within firms.

How to handle a ‘Survivor’:

Keep them on your side, speak with them in Private more than public, show them that they can trust you and count on you and you’ll have a friend in high places as your respective careers evolve.

Canadian Idol

This person is the ‘darling’ of the firm. They wine and dine clients, prospects and referrals sources and seem to be able to get away with ridiculous expense claims that, if submitted by ANY one else, would have been rejected out of hand.

This person loves the limelight, is a real schmoozer and management think this type of person is just great as they bring in lots of new assignments and they love the accolades bestowed upon them by the Partners.

Definitely partnership potential in the medium term, and if they have true talent, then they could well go all the way.

How to handle a ‘Canadian Idol’

These are people you definitely want on your ‘team’. Let them know that they have your ‘vote’. Support them in their practice development efforts and be a cheerleader for them as being associated with this type of person within the firm will do you no harm at all.

Big Brother

This person is usually a Partner of senior standing and is always ‘counting the paperclips’ in the office.

‘A Penny saved is a penny earned’ according to them, and they seem to keep an ever watchful eye over the firm’s expenditure and how people account for their time.

They seem to know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

They want to know why you’re not in the office when you’re not there (even if you are out visiting a client) and they question things on timesheets like:

· Practice development
· Training
· Travel
· Administration
· Sick leave
· Vacations

How to handle a ‘Big Brother’.

Always be one step ahead of the game. Know that he or she is watching and always have an explanation ready for any unusual event or timesheet entry.

They usually have more power than you, so it is politic not to get on their wrong side.

The Amazing Race

These people as always in a hurry, they’re always in a rush. There’s never any time to stop.

They’re always late for meetings, both internal and external. They also often have this unique ability to walk into a meeting two-thirds of the way through and hit on a critically important point that probably nobody else would have picked up.

Sometimes their work lacks a little polish and they have been known to make mistakes, although, provided these are not catastrophic, they’re usually forgiven and soon forgotten by ‘the powers that be’.

How to handle an “Amazing Racer’

Keep out of the way!

Watch out for any errors in working paper files that hit your desk that they have been working on. Their emphasis is on speed of service, not quality and a balance has to be reached.

Look for their good points and try to emulate them, without taking on board the bad points.

© 2004, MFA Group Inc