The psychological barriers to management effectiveness: Ways to overcome invisible mechanisms

Everyone subtly molds his behavior for what appear to be rational goal-oriented reasons; actually, we are also satisfying psychological needs. In the case of managers, this universal mechanism often interferes seriously with the enterprise. The author describes how managers escape anxiety provoking situations through perceptual distortion and counter-productive behavior. The claim of “doing all I can” and denial of certain facts are examples of the first; busyness, the manager's “Linus blanket,” and escapes into structure are examples of the second. An understanding of these forces can help management. The author lists the principles that underlie three strategic concepts: the use of multivariate strategies for change, imposition of work disciplines on the management job, and maintenance of tough achievement goals.