2024 final issue: The (sad) power of negative narratives

Why do we make decisions that work against us? Why do we vote for people who create policies that make our situation even worse? Why do we follow social media influencers and trolls that preach division by fear and hate? And why the negative narratives seem to outpower the positive ones almost always?

We carry the thinking models from our ancestors living in the jungle, as so well depicted by Nobelist Daniel Kahneman in his book on fast and slow thinking models. Our fast thinking, the most convenient to use, is driven very much on our basic needs to survive i.e. identifying and reacting threats to us and to our tribe. Fear stimulates our brain far better than hope. .

So, what can we learn from this as individuals and leaders hoping to change our lives, businesses and maybe even the world for the better? My simple recipe - combine the narratives. Combine fear and hope into same storyline, your negative and positive visions.

But here is the key - base the narrative on systemic (slow) thinking. Take the pain and time to understand the systemic forces in play, whether it is about losing weight or revitalizing your company.

In case of losing weight - consider reasons why you need to eat too much. What are you possibly compensating that you are missing in life, or if self-indulging is your choice and basic need - how to balance that by better burning of the calories consumed.

In case of revitalizing your business - research why your results are not satisfactory, what is missing in terms of ambition or motivation for your people to take on the change and risk involved? What is the endgame if we do nothing? What is the future like at a very concrete level to customer and our people if we decide to make bolder moves?

My guiding model is still the famous speech my Martin Luther King:I have a dream. In an eloquent and yet very concrete way he was able to share how the current morbid situation could be and should be changed into a better one (that is, into a situation that was normal for all white people). The only thing that was missing, was the action part - later provided my Malcom X: get education for you and your children - the way into being influential.

Let's stop being played by the bad narratives and let's create better ones by thinking slower and in a systemic way!

Happy New Year my Dear friends!