How to Become a Wizard

Ideas for Action                    

(II)Self-Deception Malaise  Can Be at All Levels. Even The Top

 

The views of R Covey, (the distinguished author of '7 Habits of Highly Effective People') about the book on 'Self-Deception' virtually makes the application of the book's premises to all human organization, This attempt is also considered a must-do in view of the book authors' declaration: Covey asserts: "And what we have discovered----everyone at work betrays himself or herself'. Bud the Executive Vice President of the Zagrum corporation admits and further adds  "I don't think I have ever gone a day--or perhaps an hour without betraying myself".

 

The self-betrayal which is the seed of self Deception is defined  as "an act contrary to what I feel should  do for another is called an act of 'Self- Betrayal?"The definition brings in its ambit all failures to do something one expects to do for others. By the yardstick every member of the staff and all advisors of a head of state or a corporation know it is their duty to frankly voice concerns about a campaign or a project;  if anyone keeps quiet in a meeting for whatever reasons he is guilty of self-betrayal and consequent self- deception. That means like Bud in the story all are guilty of self-betrayal many times,

 

 The concept can be best made clear by an actual example of Kennedy's Bay of Pigs campaign is a case in point. According to  a press report   Arthur Schlesinger Jr. then a White House staff, observed how the Bay of Pigs meeting concluded in  "assumed consensus";" No one spoke up'''   Others present in the meeting concluded that 'doubts were entertained but never pressed'; some advisors had good reason to think the mission would fail, they never voiced the doubts/

      

There is a thought that  even the economic meltdown of 2008 was  among other contributing factors was a  consequence of self-betrayals and self-deceptions due to distorted 'Group Think' (advisors/officials not voicing serious doubts about the reckless moves of managements.) It is relevant in this context that Time magazine declared whistleblowers as the 'Person of the Year'  

 

In case of Enron failure also the government reports claimed that the directors ignored several warnings, though directors claimed that board members were misled by the management,

 

There are perhaps many more cases in India and even in our own lives indicating that the change of self-betrayal cannot be ruled out. We should be alert about our duties and responsibilities and not rationalize or explain away our failure to discharge these.