Question

Answer the following questions given what you learned from reading Leadership and Self-Deception. Minimum 300 words.

How does one get "in the box"? Describe a time when you personally were "in the box".How does one get "out of the box"? Describe what you did personally to get "out of the box".

Answer 1

Most of the people are hardworking, sincere and diligent at workplace, which may cause issues among peers unknowingly. It is termed as ‘Self-deception’ and termed as being “in the box” or blindness. It means treating yourself as the object. In case a person performs any action “in the box”, automatically others respond being “in the box”.

For example, self-oriented people sometimes spread the issue around the workplace. Whereas, another example, being the good friend of other manager and sharing the information may be useful but for some reason does not share the information. This may create offence or lead to reprisal. Thus, “Out of the box” involves looking at others and fulfilling the needs rather fulfilling self needs. Therefore, it is good to say that self-deception comes from ‘self-betrayal’ and in a way lead to the box.

Presence of “in the box” influences relationships, productivity, communication, motivation, critical thinking, honesty and trust. This initiates the blame game with others and all effort goes toward self-justification. When someone is “in the box”, people start observing and start developing perceptions about a person. But leadership always goes with “out of the box” behavior. This can be achieved by appreciating others and helping others in need. This leads to the success of the organization, provide solutions to the team issues, defining efforts to achieve outcomes. Sometime people related issues are the basis symptoms for problems in organizations. Issues relating to   team building, motivation, leadership, trust, conflicts are regularly appearances of a deeper issue. “Out of the box” behavior improves the vision, decreases the conflicts, brightens teamwork and desire to work more, intensifies liability, amplifies the capacity to attain outcomes, and develops gratification and cheerfulness.