“The Battle Cry of the Wild Child”

And again I’ve heard the same old saying from an acquaintance “why can’t you become more docile? Submissive people don’t pose a threat to managers and that will make you more employable”

The answer is simple, I am what society calls a “wild child” and doing that would negate my own nature for the sake of a job. And being a wild child and working with a wild child is not a bad thing. We are not rude or mean, wild children just don’t like to be controlled or “tamed”. An employee-employer relationship is an ongoing conversation and partnership with the "wild child", not a hierachical power trip for the employer.

"Wild children" can become highly productive members of a team when their wilderness is allowed to exist. Here are a few advantages of working alongside a "wild child":

• You’ll know what the wild child wants and thinks because they will tell you. There are no reasons for the wild child to lie or hide their ambitions. If they want a power position they will make it clear;
• You’ll know their true opinion about the project. If it’s not going well or just “fine”, they will tell you that, with no fears of repercussions;
• The wild child is naturally driven and relies a lot on self motivation. The team is going down on work and motivation? Let the "wild child" motivate them;
• Struggling to find a good answer for a problem? Ask for help, a motivated wild child will move mountains to find the answer;
• Lack of new ideas? Creativity, thinking outside of the box and trying new approaches is part of the nature of "wild children"

And let's be honest, asking why, demanding answers and thinking outside the box doesn't make someone wild. Lack of control over an employee doesn't make you less of a manager or a director. It makes that wild child a creative and it makes of the employer a leader.

Embrace your inner wilderness :)