Sunday, September 25, 2011

Show Your Work


Do the Math


I’m not writing economics today.  I’m writing about a new term, well new to me, I ran across on the internet: unconscious overclaiming.  Unconscious overclaiming occurs when we unconsciously inflate or overestimate our contributions and or abilities as they relate to those of other people.  It typically sounds something like this, “I do all the work around the house, or I do the majority of the work on all projects.”  In our minds, we typically think we do; however, the studies and math have shown that’s not really the case.  One study I ran across had work group of students go through the exercise of estimating their contribution to a team project.  When all the estimates were tallied, it came out to around 139%.  We all have a different opinion or value when it comes to our contribution to whatever.  In many instances, unconscious overclaiming typically breeds to a level of resentment toward others. 

So how do you work with or attempt to avoid it, think about all the things you don’t do.  It gets back to the monocular vs. binocular vision.  Monocular Vision is where you only see things from your perspective or frame of reference and lose sight of the views of your partner or others in your life.  You see things only through your eyes.  Binocular Vision is the ability to see perspective of others along with your own.  It’s seeing the total picture.

When, not if, you find yourself in the state of unconscious overclaiming, do the math then step back for a second and kick in your binocular vision.  You will be surprised what you can see.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Occupancy Limit

Occupancy limit signs are all over the place: bars, restaurants, cruise ships, buses, etc.    The signs convey the number of people who ca...