Tag Archives: consequences

Bad Behaviour

No matter what kind of soap you use, or how much, it is unlikely you can clean up the impacts of bad behavior.   The best way to ensure there is no fallout from the way you behave is to not behave badly in the first place.

Sometimes we stretch our behavioral limits beyond both cultural and social standards.  When acting outside of the norms you can be viewed as behaving badly (albeit a somewhat subjective measure).

Impacts/ Consequences

Our behavior has a real impact.   We can negatively (or positively) affect how others view us but also we could act in ways that cause others pain or harm them in some way (of course we can do good as well).

The things we do and how we act matter.   In some cases, these actions can have irrevocable results.  Bad behavior usually leads to negative outcomes while we may work hard to make amends or fix the damage, in reality, the past status quo can never be truly restored.

The results of bad behavior can never be fully cleaned up, regardless of how apologetic or remorseful we are.  It is more effective to avoid acting in ways that could harm your reputation.

The Simple Approach

Most often, if not always behaving badly stems from emotional override.  Our logic and restraint are overridden by a flood of emotions.

We feel it coming on and know what we are experiencing but for many, we are unable to hold back our passion, excitement, anger, frustration, etc.

The simple solution is to adopt a personal belief bad behavior has no value or benefit and must be avoided at all costs.  When you start to cycle up the bad behavior curve, stop, ignore everything around you.

Force yourself into a state of relaxation, take several deep breaths and then start again from the bottom – and stay there.

Spawning Leaders

A well documented innate human behavior is the way each of us develops our values in a social context.   This does not refer to the imitation or copying of others behaviors directly but rather basing our own actions on how we percieve the actions of others.

Environment Impacts

In the context of human development, nature versus nurture refers to behavioral practices we are born with (nature) and those generated from environmental influences (nurture).

From childhood to adult, there is always a part of our “go-to” behavior that develops from our observation of others.  Many believe this is more impactful during childhood (when we have more of a blank slate) but it applies throughout our lives.

Influencing Others Behaviours

Whether children (yours or others), colleagues, friends or anyone, how you behave is a key influencer relative to how the others develop their own personal behaviour values.

This  concept is key toward building a world of leaders.  That is by exemplifing your leader skills to others you provide a framework for them to build their own leadership skills on.

Just Tell them to do it

I had a conversation the other say about how to shape a culture, regardles of context, home, business, other, the most powerfull approach is not to tell others how to behave, rather show them. It really work.

Likewise, be open yourself to be shown the way by others.  This adds value to everyone  and ultimately the overall  cutural improvements spiral up.  Consequences, logical explanations or being shown the way, I choose the later every time.

 

Go Your Own Way

Released in 1977 on the Rumors album the rock band Fleetwood Mac imortalized the phrase “Go your own Way”.  Songwriter Lindsay Buckingham, embittered ex-spouse of vocalist Stevie Nicks, wrote the song covering his perspective of the breakup.

Stevie has stated on a number of occassions she dislikes the lyrics which are not an accurate protrayal of her, obviously Lindsay had some annomosity.

Of course this never stopped her performing  the song, what is one of the bands biggest hits.

NAFTA Renegotiation

The North American free trade agreement refresh negotiations started last week and the talks and associated political rhetoric have been hot topics in the media of late. (No surprise there).

It suddenly hit me, time for Mexico and Canada to sing out.  Hey Mr. Trump, “Go Your Own Way”.  How much can one put up with.  Like Lindsay Buchingham had strong feelings and ties to Stevie Nicks, Canada does have a special bond with America.

However, enough is enough.  It is time to draw the line in no uncertain terms.  All Mr. Trump seems to understand is direct action, not rhetoric or threats.

So it is high time to make it clear not everyone thinks it is all about America.  If the country is driven to isolationism by an unpopular leader (less than 30% popularity) then, so be it.

Consequences

Actions create outcomes.  These can be positive or more like consequences (a negative slant on the result).  America has chosen it’s bed.  Time to sleep in it.  If the results (consequences) are not what is expected, well I can’t be my brothers keeper, can I?

 

Motivational tips – using consequences as a tool

One of the simpilest form of motivation is based on consequences.  Simply put a consequence is the result or effect of an action.

Surprisingly, many people jump to “negative” when they hear consequences, partcularly in the context of performance management.

As a general rule, strong performance results in positive consequences.  Like the old saying ” You get more bees with honey than vinegar” you will get stronger performance using positive consequences to motivate.

Performance management is also a bit of a misnomer too.  Essentially, by creating circumstances that encourage and enable the achievement of positive consequences, and the desire to achieve them (motivation) high performance is achieved.

The goal of performance management is really more accurately termed performance encouragement.  It is most effective when applied indirectly.

Using Positive Consequences to Motivate

Consequnces are a great tool to indirectly influence the actions of others.  The sprinter seeking the consequence of a gold medal performs better.  The postive consequence is motivating.

This is dependent on understanding the level of value asociated with the consequence.   The sprinters stakeholder group (coach, parents, fellow citizens) all contribute to this understanding and so form part of the performance management equation.

Negative Consequences

While it is true using avoidance of negative consequences as a motivating factor can work somewhat, numerous psychological studies have shown this the least effective approach to motivation.

More importantly, it is not sustainable, nor does it encourage  attempts to exceed and get even better consequences (basically your behavior focuses on avoidance not improvement).

Most Common Mistake

Many managers or leaders focus on negative consequences to manage performance.  In my experience the thing that stands out in peoples minds from a performance discussion  are the opportunities for improvement ( nice euphemism).

In fact these opportunities are about consequences you are not achieving (so negative).  Even if positive consequences are mentioned in the discussion, people mostly focus on the negative (and feel bad)

Atheletes will tell you the positive consequence of winning is something they feed on.  On average, winning motivates more winning and losing, well, just the opposite.

Living with no consequence

As we move through are lives our behaviours can often result in a consequence. That is a result or effect deriving directly as a result of our action.

These can be positive or negative.

Breaking rules – potentially negative consequnce

When driving, if you proceed directly through an intersection with a stop sign (without stopping) there could be consequences.  These could range from a fine to a criminal charge for manslaughter .

The extent of the consequences are directly related to the effects of the behaviour leading to the consequence.  Running a stop sign without hitting anyone and not being seen by anyone could result in no consequnce.  If you hit someone so badly they died the consequences could be severe.

Seeking a positive consequence

Purchasing a lottery ticket is an example of an action which could lead to a positive consequence.  That is winning some money or otherwise being reward for your purchase (e.g. a prize).

Motivating Effect

A clear benefit of consequences is how they can drive our behaviour.  The results can make us happy (a lottery win) or keep us safe (preventing a car accident). Most importantly though is the motivating power.

Consequences both result from and drive behaviour.  Arguably without consequence there might be little reason for you to just sit around and vegitate (boring).

Life without Consequence

Consequences are important factors in helping us enjoy and get the most out of life.  The results of actions are both a guide on how to behave responsibly as well as being the outcomes we seek.

A life with no purpose, no outcomes, no resulting consequences from our actions would be boring indeed.  Going out on a limb, I would even say, consequences are something to live for.