I was reminded of an interesting story this past week and thought I'd share it here. It speaks to how we resist change, go with the status quo and jump on board a sinking ship (or sagging economy?).
It all started with a cage containing five monkeys ...
Inside the cage, a string of bananas were hanging above a set of stairs. Before too long, a monkey went to the stairs and started to climb towards the bananas. As soon as he touched the stairs, all of the monkeys were soaked with ice cold water.
A while later, another monkey made an attempt with the same result - all the monkeys are soaked with ice cold water.
Pretty soon, none of the monkeys tried to climb the stairs.
The water supply was then shut off. One monkey was removed from the cage and replaced with a new one.
The new monkey saw the banana and went to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all the other monkeys attacked him.
After another attempt and attack, he learns that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be beaten.
Another of the original five monkeys was then replaced with a new one. The newcomer approaches the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer enthusiastically takes part in this punishment! After another attempt and attack, he too learns that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted, so he stops trying.
A third original monkey is replaced with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth. Every time the newest monkey approaches to the stairs, he is attacked.
Now, the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey. By replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been soaked with the ice cold water.
Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the bananas.
Why not? Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here!
So this is how company policy is maintained! This is how a culture develops. And this, my friends, is why there will be no more changes around here!
A fable so close to reality - it hurts.
Norm
www.normanbain.com
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