Kunin on The Folly of Passivity
“One is responsible for
one’s own life. Compliance
provides no protection.”
–Madeleine Kunin (1933 – )
Swiss-American diplomat and politician
Sales concept…
Sometimes, if we don’t have success after repeated attempts to do something, we can lose confidence and eventually give up trying. It’s called "learned helplessness" (we learn to be helpless).
Sales check: Any areas where you and your team have stopped trying (or try, but with small commitment) because prior repeated failures and/ or a perceived inability to succeed has trained you not to try? In prospecting and customer contact efforts? In motivating and improving team attitudes and cooperation? With customer care improvement initiatives?
If so, what can you start doing today to minimize any "learned helplessness" that may have set in?
To see (6-minute video) an fascinating take on the concept from a class at Penn State Erie and to learn a small more about the person behind it… click here.
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A Message to Garcia (1500-word classic on Initiative and Responsibility)… Do you have your free downloadable copy? It’s one of our favorites. We’ve even made a fun version for kids.