Archives for "Psychology"

When someone, who has committed a serious mistake in the office, is confronted with it, he or she goes through several stages of shock;

1. Shock - Silence, as initial impact is felt. The brain needs time to assimilate information.
2. Disbelief - (“I don’t believe it…”) Some people never get beyond this stage and continue to pretend nothing has happened.
3. Guilt - (“It’s all my fault…”) Taking all the blame, regardless of responsibility. Some  stay at this stage.
4. Blame - (“It wouldn’t not has happened if he hadn’t been in such a rush..”) Still buying time: Responsibility is pushed onto other people or events. Antidote to reality of the shock.
5. Rationalization - (“I was too tired to check it..”) Logical part of brain takes over and works out a reason for acting that way. Analysis often in inaccurate, but brain is closer to accepting the experience for what it is.
6. Integration - (“There’s nothing we can do about it now..”) Finally, the situation is accepted- in minutes or years. mistake becomes one more piece of experience on which to base future judgments.

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It’s not sufficient that I succeed – all others must fail.”- Genghis Khan, Mongol conqueror (1162-1227)

A corporate mission expressed in terms of defeating an enemy can be a powerful motivator. Some of the examples from the 80’s are Pepsi’s “Beat Coke” and Honda’s “We will crush Yamaha”.

The typical business goal expressed in number terms- such as a dollar increase in growth- doesn’t explain how a target is to be achieved. But the challenge to defeat a competitor tells employees they have to treat them as the “enemy”, and strive to surpass them.

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