Ralph Carlson Blog

We can all relate to Dilbert because either we have been where he is or we are there now. I never understood what is really happening in those Dilbert moments and what I can do about it. I would shrug and blame corporate life and the soulless business model that emphasizes the bottom line and doesn’t appreciate the human beings but it isn’t that simple. I am learning that it is not the organization, it is really the people and how they exercise power in the organization.

To understand Dilbert, the best model I have found comes from Tribal Leadership by Dave Logan, John King and Halee Fischer-Wright. In this model, individuals operate on one of five levels:

1.Despairing Hostility – “Life Sucks”

2.Apathetic Victim – “My Life Sucks”

3.Lone Warrior – “I’m Great – and you’re not”

4.Tribal Pride – “We’re Great – and they’re not”

5.Innocent Wonderment – “Life is great”

Dilbert exists in Level 2 – “My Life Sucks” and the reason his life sucks is a manager at level 3, hung up with his own glory. Dilbert is powerless to change the situation. He knows that there are others whose lives do not suck but his does.

The only way out for Dilbert is to leave his current environment (job) where the deck is stacked against him and enter a new one where he can regain control of his performance and attitude. After spending some time at Level 2 it becomes hard to believe that your life doesn’t have to suck and you risk sinking to Level one where you no longer believe that life doesn’t have to suck.

When you are living at Level 2 at work, it is unlikely that you will find anyone willing to help you and the options you have are risky both emotionally and financially. Others at Level 2 will seldom be able or willing to provide support for your escape to Level 3.

I just made the decision to leave a work situation where I could no longer control my level. By forcing me to play a game designed by my boss and where he is also the scorekeeper and referee, I entered Level 2 and risked sinking to Level 1. It was a no-brainer decision but it is not always easy to think clearly at Level 2. For a positive person who gives his best and expects to be appreciated, it is difficult to accept that someone actually wants to hurt you and will stack the deck to make it happen. Reason prevailed. I did what I had to do. I fired my boss and left my level 2 work environment.

I share this not to gloat but as an example, and perhaps encouragement, to others suffering a Level 2 work environment. I hope that I can persuade you to read Tribal Leadership and learn more about the dynamic underlying the Dilbert life than you can learn from this short essay. Also, I offer encouragement that you do have some power to take back control. Don’t let yourself buy into accepting the Level 2 life. Leave a comment or send me an email if you would like to believe. I would like to help.

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