(bell ringing)
- [Instructor] "People can rationalize in funny ways
to hold onto their dreams and needs."
"The sad but amusing side of rationalization
is thinking that you are brilliant
while you are acting foolishly."
(gentle music)
"Reasoning is man's most useful tool for making adaptations
at high levels,
whereas rationalizing is man's most useful tool
for preventing just that,"
Florence Meredith and Warren Southworth.
One of the biggest problems with human beings
is that we have the capacity and apparently the need
to minimize emotional comfort.
As a result,
it is hard to face up to decisions or any behavior
which subsequently is shown to be flawed,
irrational, or unsuccessful.
However, the effective leader knows that it is reason
and critical thinking that must prevail,
not wishful thinking.
Critical thinking, not wishful thinking.
A successful organization
cannot be run on rationalizations.
A successful organization cannot be run
by catering to the needs
of emotional comfort of individuals.
A successful organization faces up to reality,
not story-telling.
A successful organization must identify
and eliminate cognitive bias and rationalization.
People can rationalize in funny ways
to hold onto their dreams and needs.
Rationalization sacrifices the truth for emotional comfort.
To realize your goals,
you must distinguish between dreams and reality.
The sad but amusing side of rationalization
is thinking that you are brilliant
while you are acting foolishly.
It's always important to do a reality check
when you think you are brilliant,
because you might be acting foolishly.
It's not amusing when it's you and your organization
who are deluded in their thinking.
Cognitive bias is the bridge between reality
and emotional comfort.
Don't think you are brilliant
when you are acting irresponsibly.
Don't think you are brilliant
when you are just seeking emotional shelter.
You are brilliant when you are not deluded
in your thinking.
You are brilliant when you don't allow emotional discomfort
and cognitive bias to distort reality.
Reasoning is man's most useful tool for making adaptations
at high levels,
whereas rationalizing is man's most useful tool
for preventing just that.
High level adaptation is based on reasoning,
not rationalization.
High level adaptation is based on the truth,
not emotional comfort.
High level adaptation is not about ego, it is about we-go,
as in together we seek to find the reality
through critical thinking.
The more people that are involved in the assessment
of previous decisions,
the less likely it is that decision will be hijacked
for the protection of one or two individuals.
Always take time to review previous decisions
with honesty, integrity, critical thinking,
and other people.
People can rationalize in funny ways
to hold onto their dreams and needs.
The sad but amusing side of rationalization
is thinking that you are brilliant
while you are acting foolishly.
Reasoning is man's most useful tool for making adaptations
at high levels,
whereas rationalizing is man's most useful tool
for preventing just that.
Reducing workplace bias.