Today, during practice three, a team of thirteen learned a bit about the actor/observer bias. We didn’t all agree with modern science’s observation of how we humans are wired. No problem here. However, as practice began to wind down, we reviewed those old, infamous, Gallup numbers regarding American worker engagement. You remember these, don’t you? These are the 28, 55, 17 ones we’ve talked about oh so many times. According to Gallup 28% of our American workforce is engaged, 55% is disengaged, and 17% is actively disengaged. These are eye opening numbers. The teams response was to refute them. Without so much as thinking they began to build a mental model for why their particular system did not fit the norm. Every other client I have worked with has this same reaction.
Going back to the beginning of this rant, do you see how our reaction to Gallup indicates our tendency toward the actor/observer bias? Isn’t it funny how every, single one of my clients and their teams see themselves as the exception? Today, give your team the same bennie you tend to give yourself – give the benefit of the doubt. And, if you want to become even better, STOP giving them to yourself. You see, the highest performers are always hardest on themselves. Are you…
BUILT TO LEAD 