Make a Bunch of Stupid Mistakes
In the Red personality framework, mistakes perceived as obvious or avoidable can provoke anger and assumptions that colleagues are incompetent.
THE IDEA
Make a Bunch of Stupid Mistakes
Mistakes are one thing, but stupid mistakes, well, that’s something completely different. It’s so overwhelmingly unnecessary. If a Red believes his colleagues are brainless, he gets crazy: “Why don’t they understand what they’re supposed to do? How hard can it be?”
When to use it
When reviewing a colleague's work that contains errors, first consider if instructions or tools were clear before assuming incompetence.
In a team meeting, if tasks are repeatedly done incorrectly, assess whether the process or training is flawed instead of blaming individuals.
When you yourself make a mistake that feels stupid, avoid self-criticism and instead analyze if the situation was set up for failure.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Managerial frustration
A manager (Red personality) sees an employee repeatedly make a simple error in a report. The manager assumes the employee is brainless and becomes angry, but later learns the error was due to a poorly designed template. The manager's assumption of a 'stupid mistake' escalated unnecessarily.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a time you labeled someone else's mistake as 'stupid.' How did that assumption affect your response and the outcome?
How can you distinguish between a genuine lack of understanding and a simple oversight when others make mistakes?
What communication patterns might prevent the 'they must be brainless' reaction in a team setting?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Surrounded By Idiots (Thomas Erikson)