THE OSTRICH EFFECT

“Burying your head in the sand won’t make the problem go away.”

In a coaching session this week, the term “The Ostrich Effect” was raised and just how hard it was to lead a new team where they had this entrenched in their DNA from years past.

Normally the Ostrich Effect manifests itself where teams and their leaders are:

• Avoiding tough conversations;
• Neglecting financial warning signs;
• Dismissing market shifts;
• Procrastinating on strategic decisions; and
• Ignoring feedback from employees or customers.

All super important to have a handle on and to avoid at all costs.

One of the goals of us in leadership is to ensure that we remain vigilant and address issues head-on rather than hoping they’ll resolve themselves. Easier said than done in times of challenges.

Sadly, we tend to ignore key stuff and “bury our head in the sand” hoping to not be seen and for all to be sorted when we finally look up.

In the conversation, an alternate view was tabled…

Actually, ostriches get a bad wrap.

Did you know that ostriches:

• Can weigh up to 150kg;
• Thrive in arid environments;
• Can kill a predator with a kick;
• Stand at an impressive 3m tall;
• Are able to run at speeds up to 70km/h;
• Are highly ferocious and territorial when challenged; and
• Often predict danger from afar due to their exceptional eyesight.

Does that sound like an animal that buries its head in the sand in the face of danger?

If you aren’t going to be an eagle, maybe being an ostrich is a good second choice.

Just don’t go near the sand.

Definitely don’t be a duck.