There are a number of people that I frequently interact with that are pricks. After great deliberation, calculation, and estimation, I've created the following five categories for ease of classification:
- The "Snob" - Won't answer or return phone calls, texts, or e-mails from co-workers, friends or family - unless they need something. If they do answer or return your call, they are disengaged and make it painfully obvious that you are somehow interrupting their day and they don't have time for you.
- The "Flash" - Here today, gone tomorrow. Focuses on the flavor of the day. This prick will be your best friend as long as you add immediate value and can help him achieve his next highest goal. Has no sense of building long-term mutually benefitting relationships.
- The "Torpedo" - Sneaks around and takes shots at you without warning. These pricks are dangerous.
- The "Strafer" - Flys in, takes a lot of shots with a gun that often doesn't shoot straight, and leaves quickly. The good news is that you can usually see them coming. The bad news is that they leave behind a big mess requiring a lot of work to clean up.
- The "Bomber" - This prick enjoys breaking other people's stuff from a stand-off position. They're not particularly discriminating on what is being bombed - just whatever their bombsight happens to wander over. These are the types of pricks that kill initiative. They are also too often senior leaders.
Idiots often require that their subordinates be pricks. This is not necessary (see post dated 03/01/2010) and certainly not in your long-term best interest. When people reach out to you, reach back. Show interest. Get engaged. Maybe you'll learn something. If something isn't right, fix it but don't take shots at people just for the entertainment value.
