Have you ever been able to see a really good thing so clearly that you can almost ‘taste’ it (and yet you’re met with nothing but resistance?)

During a presentation at a recent conference, I was struck by the demonstrated frustration (and almost unanimous agreement) in response to my rant on how most organization members are so easily (negatively) conditioned by the culture surrounding them.

A study credited to Dr. Harry Harlow at the University of Wisconsin- Madison involved five monkeys, a cage, and a banana.  Perhaps you’ve heard of it?  If not, read the synopsis of the experiment below and tell me if any of this rings true amongst the [humans] in your organization (or city, or…country).

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The Study:

Five monkeys were put into a regular monkeys’ cage, where a banana was hung from above (outside the reach of the monkeys).

To begin the experiment, a step-ladder was placed inside the cage, providing access to the banana.  Whenever a monkey would climb the ladder in an attempt to reach the fruit, all of the monkeys were sprayed with cold water.  It didn’t take long before the monkeys learned to stay away from the ladder.

This is where it gets interesting…

One of the original monkeys was removed from the cage and replaced with a new monkey who had not yet learned “how things work around here”.  Needless to say, the banana dangling above lured the new monkey in.  As soon as he began to climb, the “experienced” monkeys, fearful that they were going to get sprayed with cold water, grabbed him and pounced on him.

The thing is- there was no more water (and it only took a handful of tries before the new monkey clearly understood to…forget about the banana).

One by one, the five original monkeys (those who had actually been sprayed with cold water) were replaced.  The scenario repeated with each new monkey.  Finally, there were no monkeys remaining who had actually experienced the cold water.

This is where it gets [really] interesting…

One of these “second generation” monkeys was then replaced, and guess what- the scenario repeated AGAIN.

Without any direct understanding of WHY the banana was “off limits” all monkeys had become guardians (and enforcers) of the “rule”.

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Any of this sound familiar to how things seem to work in your organization?  Call it “groupthink”, call it “the way we’ve always done it,” call it “this is how we do things around here.”

However it’s referred to in your world, the results are the same- proliferation of bad habits, negative conditioning, and stifling of anyone wanting to “upset the [banana] cart.”

This can be very frustrating to anyone wanting to initiate positive change, especially positive change in behaviors.

Here are a few facts:

Fact 1: The Culture of your organization determines its results

Fact 2: The collective behaviors and interactions of the members of your organization create its culture.

Fact 3: Culture ultimately changes one person at a time

Fact 4: If the culture in your organization is ever going to change, it must begin with…you.

It is my fondest hope that you will not give in; that you will never let the guardians of the unfounded “rules” force you to…forget about the banana.

For freedom from error,

-Tim

P.S.  We will be conducting two Certification classes between May and July of this year.  Details will be out in the next couple of days.