Zombies: What the Undead Can Teach us About Leadership

Zombies have a singular agenda. They want to drag you down and feed on your flesh. They remind me of project teams. There is always at least one in every group. You know, the one who is not interested in moving forward, finding solutions, or contributing anything positive. The one who likes to wallow, rehash past issues, and generally gnash teeth.

If you are tasked with leading a team, you need to know how to take them down.

Proven Ways to Neutralize a Zombie

1. Wear the zombie-spotting glasses

There was a great movie in the 80s where Rowdy Ronnie Piper was fighting zombies, and the way he identified them was by wearing zombie-spotting sunglasses. Constant vigilance! Be on the lookout for them because they can be crafty and disguise their obstructionism with silence, enthusiasm then sabotage, or absence. Early detection is key.

2. Get on your Haz Mat suit

Zombies multiply by infecting others. Once you have identified them, ensure they don’t get enough of a voice to recruit. Acknowledge their view and ask them to come up with recommendations on how to succeed given their identified issues, especially since they are experts in the roadblocks. Occasionally, you can convert a zombie by making them responsible for solutions and contributing expertise.

3. Never go into the basement alone

You know they are there, and still the urge to check is irresistible. Cue creepy music… If you let a zombie corner you, they rise to half of the conversation. Instead stack your team with positive attitudes and creative problem solvers. There is safety in numbers. It’s a known fact that zombies are easily confused by groups of potential targets.

4. Come fully armed

The escape truck is out of gas, and you’re in a heap of zombies. Enter the unlikely hero. Make sure your sponsors are fully bought into the what and why of your project. Wield them as zombie-mowing forces for good.

5.  Never ignore the latent zombie

Zombies often stumble over each other trying to out-zombie one another. They have very little traction and poor vision, but they are persistent. They are rarely converted, but when they are, they make the best zombie fighters–capitalizing on zombie weaknesses. If you are unable to convert a zombie, ignore him at your peril. Revisit steps 1-4.

Cue evil laugh…and the sequel.