Cognitive dissonance theory

Cognitive Dissonance:

"According to cognitive dissonance theory, there is a tendency for individuals to seek consistency among their cognitions (i.e., beliefs, opinions). When there is an inconsistency between attitudes or behaviors (dissonance), something must change to eliminate the dissonance. In the case of a discrepancy between attitudes and behavior, it is most likely that the attitude will change to accommodate the behavior." [ref]

Last week I discussed my dissertation with my project sponsor. 

There's a bit in the report that describes how, despite the project's management team assertion that we're on target, the feeling "at the coal face" is that we're very unlikely to meet our schedule.  But, we all continue on as if everything is fine because, where I work, it is safer to deliver a project late than to admit it might deliver late.  I figured this bit might be a suprise and that we'd spend quite a bit of time talking about these few paragraphs.  At least I hoped so: admiting we might fail was the first step needed to consider my recommendation (aka rescue plan).  Put another way: If we are certain to succeed, why change?

As it turned out she had read that bit and we did spend most of our hour talking about it.  Although initially defensive - after all, I was saying that not only did she - the programme manager - not know what was going on in her project but that it was doomed to failure - but, she was also open minded and listened and discussed my analysis and recommendation for a good hour.

We agreed that bring her this news was a big risk for me to take - especially considering the downsizing list is currently being drawn up.  At the end though, instead of thanking me for my honesty and loyalty to the project, she told me that she wouldn't hold it against me in.  Huh? I should have realised then that it wasn't a good sign.

The next day, though, I was truely suprised.  A senior colleague and friend came up to me with a big smile on her face.  "Guess What", she said.  "[The programme manager] popped by my desk this afternoon and asked me how things are going". 

Excellent news, I thought, she took me seriously!  And my colleague was a good person to ask because she had big concerns.

"I told her everything was fine".  Huh?  Fine?  Why would she say a thing like that.

"I had to say that since [our project manger] was sitting right next to me and could hear our entire conversation.  He's helping write up the downsizing list so what else could I say?"

To clarify, the programme manager had acknowledged that there might be a problem, had investigated the problem, but - fortunately - had proved that the problem didn't exist.  The only person she fooled was herself.  I believe this is called "Cognitive dissonance".

p.s. Fortunately she won't hold this whole thing "against me".  My job is safe.  Phewww!

Comments

[John Thomson]

I've also come across this disillusioned, corporate, storm-tropper captain type in my past career.

Seems like British industry breeds them! Well I hope this is the case otherwise someone is working to promote these leemings into positions of responsibility.

Remember the old saying:
"Promote until the point of incompetence!"