So, after you're the "alpha dog," what happens? Do all the babes start liking you? Have you finally made it?<p>I realize that power has an effect on social relationships of every kind, but the these sorts of articles always strike me as addressing the symptoms of a problem (such as low self-confidence) rather than the problem itself. This is probably because the root of the problem is not a simple prescriptive fix. They also assume on some level that you should strive to have the upper hand in every encounter, which is unrealistic and off-putting. The need to be the "alpha dog" does nothing to abate feelings of insecurity, as you're still engaged in a constant cycle of judgment and one-upping others.<p>Why do we encourage people to remain in this cycle? Oh, right, we've all been told we have to be "alpha."<p>Whatever that means.
Here's a link to the paper: <a href="http://dericbownds.net/uploaded_images/carneyetal.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://dericbownds.net/uploaded_images/carneyetal.pdf</a><p>It's about a 5 minute read if you skip the statistics.
That's right kids, two hands on the desk, feet on the floor, barking orders is a stress reducing a yoga pose. It's called kicking the dog. Feet up on the desk, hands clasped behind the head is called the kicking back dog. Don't forget to flare your nostrils and breathe through the nose.
Just what the world needs. Managers of some future Enron, already in possession of overly-inflated egos, literally puffing themselves up before meetings. How revolting.