We were working with a six-person senior management team known for two things:
1) being stuck in time, and
2) not communicating amongst themselves or with the rest of the organization.
After shadowing the team, it became evident that these six people were what we call “monotone thinkers.”
Monotone, or one-note, thinkers get stuck in an ongoing pattern of a singular reasoning style that shapes their reactions and actions, and limits their innovation.
One-note thinking
Have you met these people who have a one-note thinking style?
• Death-by-Delay Donnie
This style never wants to be first and is very also risk-averse. A typical response is “Let’s just give it another month or two. By then, we’ll know how such-and-such has turned out, and how so-and-so is thinking. Then, we’ll be able to decide what’s best to do.”
• Fear Factor Frannie
A typical first reaction is avoidance and looking backward. You might hear a Fear Factor Frannie say, “Don’t you remember the last time we tried to change that? It was a disaster, and we sure don’t want a repeat of that scenario, do we?”
• Big But Ben
These are the glass half-empty folks, perpetually looking and thinking on the dark side and/or taking the contrarian view. “Sure, I’ve heard that 500 million people use Facebook, but we can’t be certain how long that fad will last.” Or, “Of course everyone likes Sam, but I’m not sure he’s really right for our organization.”
• Positive Polly
These individuals wear their rose-colored glasses all the time, refusing to acknowledge or accept that there’s any thing wrong with anyone or anything. “You folks are being much too hard on Billy. Yes, I know he got that DUI in a company vehicle and then fibbed about it happening. But no one was seriously hurt in the accident, so what’s the ruckus?”
• Like Me Larry
Being liked – not being correct or candid or respected – is at the top of the priority list for Like Me Larry’s who agree with whoever is speaking at the moment. “Polly, I couldn’t agree with you more.” Followed by, “Of course, Donnie, I agree with you when you rephrase what Polly said that way.”
• Balance Sheet Bob
Everything is all about the bottom line to those caught in this line of thinking. “It doesn’t matter, Frannie, that the telephone system is out-dated. Customers can call back. There’s no money in this year’s budget to buy a new system.”
In a sense, words are encyclopedias of ignorance because they freeze perceptions at one moment in history and then insist we continue to use these frozen perceptions when we should be doing better. ~Edward de Bono, Six Thinking Hats
All of these points of view are important elements in thoughtfully analyzing a situation or devising a strategy. Where it becomes problematic is when these styles of thinking become walls that shut out any other considerations.
What other types of one-note thinking have you experienced?
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