Apemanagement suggests that bosses look at apes for inspiration on how to approach leadership.
Different species of apes have different hierarchies. For example, gorillas have patriarchal leaders.
McKinsey executives were taken by McKinsey to observe bonobos who use orgies to reduce conflict.
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Many articles, books, and videos are available on leadership styles. They compare human behavior to different hierarchical structures in different societies. Patrick van Veen, a Dutch biologist, has a different approach. He looks at animal behavior.
His consulting company "Apemanagement" teaches managers how to learn from apes. The consultant analyzes the behavior patterns and hierarchies of different species of apes and compares them to those of humans.
This is not a way to encourage a particular style of management, but rather to help managers and companies reflect on their strategies and improve them.
60 managers and an "ape orgy"
Welt reports that Welt was able to conduct a leadership seminar at the Zoo with 60 top-ranking McKinsey managers. Welt said that a minor incident occurred.
Managers were given the chance to observe the behavior and interactions of Bonobo troops that weren't acquainted.
You might expect aggressive or territorial behavior, but what did the bonobos do instead? They had an orgy.
Although orgies aren’t unusual in bonobo, it was a problem for managers.
Van Veen was notified by McKinsey two weeks after his appointment that there would be offensive scenes.
He said that managers should be able to see bonobo behavior because they are able to resolve conflicts in an innovative and efficient way.
It is notable that bonobos are not only able to have orgies but also that they are initiated by and lead by females.
Except for the female leadership component, the bonobos' orgies method is unlikely to be a viable strategy in the boardroom.
We can however use their behavior to determine that there are many ways that leaders can create a positive atmosphere at work and that there are more than one.
Bonobo behavior is characterized by fewer conflicts, more integration, personal appreciation and competence, as well as respect.
Different leadership styles exist for different species of apes
Gorillas, on the other hand, have a patriarch who is their leader. His leadership style is one that allows them to exercise unrestricted authority.
Welt said that this has a positive effect on trust and gorillas tend to take care of their lower-ranking colleagues. He said that this is also the most popular style of leadership among people.
Welt was told by van Veen that while apes are born politicians and more democratically organized then gorillas. Bonobos, on the other hand, have a very "flat hierarchy" without clear leadership. Orangutans, however, are lonely.
Van Veen stated, "As soon their environment changes they stop working."
Apemanagement may not have meant to emphasize office orgies, but the idea that we are not as different as we think. It would be nice to think more creatively about group harmony.
