In 1973 John Darley and Dan Batson conducted an experiment to see how pressure affected human behavior.
The 2 psychologists placed an actor laying on the ground at Princeton University, calling for help.
Then, they asked their students to attain an important meeting across campus. Of course, the route to the venue lead the students passing by the actor.
The first group was requested to attain the meeting in a low hurry situation: “You can go, it is still early.”
Second group was given medium hurry: “Please go now, your meeting will start soon.”
Third group was given high hurry: “You have to leave immediately, the professor and other students are already waiting for you.“
Only 10% of the students in hurry stopped to help the person in need, in contrast, 63% of the not hurried students helped.
The experiment has shown that it is difficult to act according to our higher values when we are under pressure. When rushed, we experience something called “narrowing of the cognitive map”. We become unable to notice our surroundings, unable to distinguish what’s really important.
In that situation, employees and managers may also miss doing the right things: The strategic improvements, the social responsible actions, the environment friendly projects, or simply to help someone in need.
For the new year, I wish you less rush and more freedom to focus on what’s really important in your professional and private life.
Have a great new year.
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