By | David Klaasen | Helping You Create Clarity, Inspire Your People & Drive Performance | Retain your best people | Changing Management Mindsets and Behaviour | Practical Behaviour Analytics
Is your business in danger of you or your team being so certain that the truth gets rejected? We are entering a world of post-truth in politics – the truth no longer appears to matter and the people with the most certainty in their position seem to win.
The outcome of the UK referendum and US Presidential elections were shocking because they were largely unexpected. Many people were pretty certain that life would go on as normal and didn’t think too deeply about the issues at stake. Many were lulled into complacency by their certainty that things would not change so they didn’t explore what the other side were really saying and what was mobilising them.
The absence of truth
In the UK the general consensus from academics and experts was clear and there was a lack of openness to the views of those who were saying change was needed. In the months running up to the referendum it was frustrating to see that both sides were becoming increasingly certain about their views. There was no open and reflective dialogue, untruths were being declared as certainty and people on both sides shut out their opponents in totally polarised debates where the truth became meaningless. The total absence of exploring the truth (or untruth) in any given slogan meant that people had little option but to vote with their feelings and emotions. This meant that deep undercurrents and resentments were brought to the surface and the primal threat of lack of autonomy was triggered in many people, urging them to vote Leave.
