When Imitation Is Less Than Flattering
What norms are we accepting in our teams and organisations?
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness"
~ Charles Caleb Colton1
Kids learn a lot by copying what grown-ups do. Research confirms this.
They often copy actions exactly, even when they don't know why those actions matter. They do this because they want to fit in and be part of the group. This helps them learn about their culture and pick up new skills.
Children are taught by those who they perceive to have authority over them, those who keep them safe and those who look after them and provide for their needs.
- They are taught how to do things well.
- They are taught how to do things wrong.
- They are taught how and when to cut corners.
They learn by example.
As children, they don't always know the differences and nuances of adult behaviours until they become adults.
In our workplaces, the same process of learning happens for adults in the workforce.
We learn ‘how things are done around here’.
What behaviours get rewarded.
What behaviours are tolerated.
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”
~ Lieutenant General David Morrison
This means that if we allow something to happen without actively opposing it, even if we don't fully agree with it, we are essentially accepting it as the norm, even if we might not want to
This is a short video that shows in practice why this is important for those who lead others and each is aware of this.
We like to think we are adults and inside each one of us is a kid that still, at times, learns by copying others.
So…
What are we tolerating today?
What are we accepting that perhaps we might want to change?
It is an uncomfortable truth, sometimes, that change starts with us.
So perhaps the important question to consider is ‘How and what are you teaching others about what is tolerated around here?’