"Poor communication skills can
condemn you to a life of mediocrity and
frustration. Good communication skills
can unlock your dreams of success."
Dr. Robert A. Tracz

CYA Alex

CYA (short for cover your anatomy) Alex has mastered the game of office politics. He can say a lot without saying a thing and will play both ends against the middle. Alex surrounds himself with other CYA people because people that are more competent challenge him. He’s very busy looking busy though he rarely accomplishes much.

Alex is cunning, manipulative and a master at the creating a paper trail of obscure, vague documents accusing or implicating people other than himself. Often his comments appear frivolous enough that most people ignore or discard them. If Alex has allies you might find yourself the brunt of an attack from several different directions and it could get laborious and dirty. This type of play is most noted in the government and in unions.

When dealing with a paper-pushing CYA individual it’s important to follow-up with all documentation. Keep the documentation factual and remember that you can never use too much evidence when countering his claims.

Adele is a CYA. She’d never attack you face-to-face, in fact she was quite sweet to your face, yet she would create a paper trail of innocuous accusations and try to pit one against another. She loved the power of ousting those in power then she’d be there to offer her help and condolences.

Here’s what to do if you work with a CYA:

Another type of CYA is less powerful but just as annoying. This person is in charge of some trivial thing but makes your life miserable when you need to access it. The office manager, the department head or the stock-room clerk who abuses their power by making you jump through hoops to get what you want.

He is a frustrated paper pusher, stickler for details and a procrastinator – especially if you’re in a hurry to get or do something that he is in charge of. He loves to make you wait and fill out countless forms.

Joe who saw himself as executive material but he lacked the education and personality to move on. He was in charge of supplies and getting paper was excruciatingly painful. It might have been easier to get in your car and drive to an office supply.

I truly believed Joe loved it when you lost control. He would take weeks to fill orders and would have you running in circles filling out requisitions.

Once I tried to go over his head and failed miserably. I’ve learned since that’s not the way to handle this type of CYA. Here’ what you do: