Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box

Getting out of the Box: 1. Look for the signs of the box (blame, justification, horribilization, common box style, etc.). 2. Find an out-of-the-box place (out-of-the-box relationships, memories, activities, places, etc.). 3. Ponder the situation anew (i.e., from this out-of-the-box perspective). • What are this person’s or group’s challenges, trial

“First,” Avi said, as he turned from the board, “I should be on the lookout for blame and justification—for signs that I might be in a box. I can be on the lookout for signs of the various common boxes, for example—ways I’m feeling better than or entitled or worse than or anxious to be seen as.

What are this person’s or group’s challenges, trials, burdens, and pains? • How am I, or some group of which I am a part, adding to these challenges, trials, burdens, and pains? • In what other ways have I or my group neglected or mistreated this person or group? • In what ways are my better-than, I-deserve, worse-than, and need-to-be-seen-as boxes

Have I (or we) thought this through with an outward mindset? Do I understand the needs, objectives, and challenges of those involved? Have I adjusted my efforts in light of those issues? And have I been holding myself accountable for my impact on these people? Have you considered what mindset-level changes might be necessary in addition to behavior