Dancing with Foxes

How to hold influence without losing yourself

The charmer with the hidden agenda

They’re smooth, they’re smart, they know everyone. But somehow, there doesn’t seem to be much substance behind their work. You bring clarity, they bring noise. They say almost everything except talking about the agreed outcomes.

Foxes can be disarming, even impressive at first glance, but beneath the charm lies a strategic calculus. Their charm deflects scrutiny and their agility masks ambiguity. They’re not necessarily unethical, but their allegiance is often to self, not system. To work effectively with them you need more than awareness, you need a plan.

Here’s how to engage with a fox in the workplace without losing clarity or being swept up in the swift progress toward a destination of their design.

How to dance (strategically) with a Fox

1. Don’t mirror their moves
→ Charm can be infectious, but it doesn’t build trust. Stay grounded in clarity and values, even if you play the social game.

2. Anchor in outcomes
→ Foxes love conversation, owls love results. Keep the focus sharp: “What’s the outcome we’re looking for here?”

3. Document and follow up
→ Foxes can be slippery with detail. Summarise agreements, set timeframes and create accountability without overtly calling out the evasiveness.

4. Choose the right stage
→ Influence is relational, where and when you challenge matters. Foxes rarely respond well to direct confrontation so regrouping behind closed doors is often wiser than open sparring.

Protecting your integrity

Foxes can make you doubt your clarity, soften your stance and question your instincts. Know what you won’t compromise, where you’ll hold firm and when you’ll walk away. You don’t need to be louder than the Fox, you just need to be clearer.