This Week I Have Mostly Been Reading Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps by Jennifer Garvey Berger
The author recognises that human beings have the concentration span of a gold fish. The book is therefore a brilliantly concise insight into the most common…
mindtraps we so frequently find ourselves in. If you are bewildered by your own behaviour and confused about your corresponding results then this book is for you.
The argument is simple, we live in a very complex world that has changed and is continuing to change rapidly. However, the equipment (brain) we use to navigate that world has not changed in millions of years. In short, our biology conspires to mislead us in five very predictable ways that have been validated through copious research…
- We are trapped by simple stories.
- Our need to be right keeps us trapped.
- We are trapped by the need for agreement.
- Our desire for control keeps us trapped.
- We are trapped by our ego.
Simple Stories
Our desire for simple stories blinds us to the real one. We have all done this – we jump to conclusions about what a situation, event or interaction with someone means. We fill in the blanks with assumption and come up with a story that we decide is a fact. The author suggests we instead ask ourselves, “How is this person a Hero?” Perhaps consider, “What else could be happening here?” Instead of creating a negative story (which it always is) try deliberately coming up with three equally plausible, positive stories.
Need to be Right
We all like to be right which means that we believe that if it feels right it is right. That might have worked a few thousand years ago but it doesn’t today. We live in such fluid complex times. Past experience is no guarantee because the world no longer resembles that past. Instead we should consider what we believe that makes us feel this is right. Could we be wrong? We need to stop listening as a way to fix something but as a way to learn something. No one is infallible in such a complex environment.
Search for Agreement
We are searching for agreement, harmony and consensus which robs us of good ideas. When everyone is seeking to find common ground, they don’t explore the uncommon ground. And yet, that is where new and novel ideas may exist. Never have those ideas been more needed. But, we are discounting them or preventing their appearance because of a pathological need to avoid conflict. Conflict can deepen relationships and create a foundation on which to build something genuinely new. Try purposeful disagreement to see if you can expand the solution set.
Desire for Control
Our desire to be in charge or be in control strips us of influence. Instead of issuing orders what about an approach that considers what we can enable and what would enable us. It’s just not possible for us to single-handed control anything anymore so “experiment at the edges”. Try stuff and allow others to try stuff instead of seeking to dictate and control.
Ego Identity
And finally, we want to remain consistent with who we believe ourselves to be. This, in turn, prevents us for reaching for who we might be next. We all have an ego (unless you are a Buddhist Monk). We get attached to that ego which prevents us from expanding and exploring who else we might be.
Mindtraps of a Ghostwriter
Of the five mindtraps, the last one really struck a chord with me. I am up to my neck in that one! I am a writer, more specifically I’m a ghostwriter and the profession comes with baggage! It’s interesting, a little mysterious and there is a fair amount of kudos associated with writing. It’s one of those jobs that people imagine would be amazing. But I’m also trapped by it. Trapped by my identity as a writer I am finding it difficult to reach for who I might be next.
I found this a really helpful and insightful book. It explains the traps and uses stories to explain them in a work setting. It also gives some useful strategies on how to get untrapped. Highly recommended. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unlocking-Leadership-Mindtraps-Thrive-Complexity/dp/1503609014
This blog series is in homage to Jesse’s Diet’s, the comedy sketch from The Fast Show where Jesse pictured above comes out his shed and utters the immortal words… Followed by nonsense such as “Bourbon Biscuits” or “Prozac”. I don’t know why it’s funny – it just is.
