The finance department reported a loss in a project to the business head. What do you think would be the response of the business head?

If you have said Shock or Denial, you are right. Shock or Denial will depend upon extent of variance. Business head will even question the source of information, computation.

In my initial years of career, I used to do a lot of chemical analysis to monitor the performance of the plant. There would be times when I will report abnormal values. These values are not good for the plant. My boss’s first reaction was of invariably denial. He will say I have not done the analysis correctly. Don’t we do this often?

There is a folklore that goes like this:

A villager was resting under a tree.

A passerby who saw a crow picking something from the villager and flying off.

The passerby told the villager that the crow has taken his ears.

The villager started running after the crow ….

Ideally, villager should have checked his ear before running after crow. Unfortunately, everything in life is not ideal. The business head should have checked his process and operations first, but he runs after the team that is only computing and reporting.

Shooting the messenger for the message is always easier

Ignac Semmelweiss was a Hungarian physician and scientist. He is known for pioneering “antiseptic procedures”. He believed that there were mysterious poisons in the hand of the physicians or maids who helped in delivering babies. His belief came from his observations on the quantum of death during delivery procedures. He did not know the mechanism, but he knew something was wrong. He asked his team members to wash hands with chlorine-solutions before the procedures. The death dropped.

Did the scientific community accept the practice then? NO.

He ended his life finally in an insane asylum for what he advocated. His practice was accepted about 20 years after his death.

All great truths begin as blasphemies — George Bernard Shaw

This is not an isolated instance. Such responses have happened in past and will continue to happen.

Why do we get into “denial” mode when the information is not favorable?

An information that challenges my current belief, practice or outcome indicates a problem in what I do. It is perceived as a MISTAKE in my outcome or practice. The reality is it may not be a mistake. Accepting them is difficult for various reasons.

• It might bruise their EGO
• Accepting may show them in poor light
• They may not be ready to change
• They may be overconfident of their status/ act/ performance

Anyone who wants to grow and succeed must learn to accept MISTAKES. One should own them and work on changing for betterment. It is not easy, but who said growth is easy?  

George Orwell said 

Happiness can exist only in acceptance