Mob psychology stunts personal growth

By Goretti Kimani

Nearly everyone subscribes to some group norms. The need for belonging, socialisation and recognition is ever present.

While group dynamics shape our lives, people must avoid the pitfalls associated with group dynamics especially in careers.

The problem can be seen as early as the CV preparation stage. Many people naively consult their friends about CV writing.

They end up with questionable CVs that do not help much in their job search process. Others will consult their friends regarding every job advertisement they see.

Rather than make an independent judgment based on their qualification and experience, they are more concerned with what their friends think or say and sadly end up losing opportunities for growth.

Many jobseekers have lost chances through inappropriate behaviour arising from blatant disregard for general interview etiquette as individuals seek allegiance to the ‘us-guys’ club.

In most of the cases, the real culprit is the group within which the candidate belongs. Yet others will seek group comfort when they attend interviews.

We recently had a case where a group of interviewees held an animated talk about the firm as they waited for the interview to begin.

Unaware that they were being captured on CCTV, they went to great lengths to discredit the company.

An infuriated HR manager subsequently cancelled the interview and disqualified all the candidates.

The same behaviour can also be observed on the shop floor with people spending more time and energy to pledge royalty and allegiance as opposed to work and results.

Consulting your friends about everything in your life will not get you very far. Some things demand an individual and levelheaded approach.

A philosopher once said if you are trying to be like someone else, the best you can ever be is number two.

A number of measures can help put your career back on the fast track to success. The first step is to make a personal decision to be the leader in your life. Many people are their own worst enemies, playing the star in their own downfall through misguided actions and decisions.

Identifying a mentor or personal coach is paramount. Constantly seek their advice before making crucial decisions for your career. Developing a positive reading culture will also keep your mind fresh and informed on current trends and happenings.

—The writer is a human resource specialist with Peoplelink Consultants Ltd. Email: info@peoplelink.co.ke