On BusinessWeek.com, Rosabeth Moss Kanter of HarvardBusiness.org discusses how denial can prevent necessary change and describes four tools that can be used to defeat the deniers.
"Arrogance of power fuels denial," she says. "Executives flush with memories of past successes sometimes think that they are above the facts, that the facts don't apply to them."
She adds: "Deniers prevent change when they give lip service to problems but reject solutions that would require sacrifice or wrenching turns."
However, the author points out that, despite their flaws, deniers gain followers because their "no change; carry on as usual" approach is comforting, and taking no action is easy: "Deniers can simply sit on their hands, miss meetings, lose reports, or let timetables slip. Presto! No change."
Those wishing to avoid or combat denial can make use of these four tools though:
1. Unassailable facts: Small flaws can discredit the case for change so evidence should be beyond reproach.
2. Counter-argument: Change advocates must confront rather than deny alternative explanations.
3. Big picture: Change leaders must identify long-term benefits and value.
4. Pressure and repetition: Staying on message and communicating frequently can defeat denial.
Four Tools For Defeating Denial
Rosabeth Moss Kanter, BusinessWeek.com, 08/12/09
