Beware of the Hippos!

Hippo's are said to be quite dangerous. I've only met them in the zoo, so I don't really know... Well, but there are also other HIPPOs around and they are dangerous, too. Hippo is an acronym for "highest paid person's opinion" and, unfortunately, these hippos tend to kill all other opinions. Sometimes unknowingly, and usually to the disadvantage of that person.

Brandtao wrote that, with one simple rule, P&G avoids the killer tendency in hippos:

Hippos say “I think…” It’s not uncommon for everyone to then fall into line with the Hippo’s view, possibly without even airing their own. Often the more junior clients will have little ability to influence their senior staffer, who has now publicly ommitted to a view, as the boss would lose face and isn’t open to discussion.

In variance to this, one management technique used by P&G, amongst others, during reviews of proposals and ideas with their agencies came to mind. It involves letting the most junior member of the marketing team present at a meeting to comment first. They are followed by the others, ascending in order of seniority; leaving the final comments to be spoken by the most senior person within the team. Sometimes 3 or 4 others may have commented before the Hippo speaks.

This approach has 4 effects.
1. It ensures everyone involved airs their opinion, even the most junior.
2. The less senior staff prove their ability, as they speak before the boss.
3. The meetings are more consensual in feel.
4. The most senior person gets to pick over the arguments and comments expressed by their team before uttering a word. At which point they may unify the response, focus on the most important points and speak with authority and insight that can appear more sage-like.

Sounds like a great meeting recipe that brings out the best in everyone - and makes meetings less of a waste of time (even if they may take longer that way).

Picture: runrunrun/sxc