Broaden your mind by questioning foolish consistency. Open your perspective on the world to reveal possibilities through the ability to see with a fresh set of eyes.
Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of simple minds. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Perhaps foolish is the key word in the quote but I’m focusing on consistency. My podcast episode explores defining the significance of the quote, leaving you with a reflection to ponder. This week’s newsletter digs into a story that demonstrates just how sticky this fallacy can be. The weekly story, told differently on Instagram and LinkedIn, takes a simple approach. This blog post wraps it up by examining how consistency of thinking is valuable while, in the extreme, can be problematic. I share a story of how meaningful career/leadership decisions are possible when standing strong against the hobgoblin.
Consistency: The Healthy and the Hobgoblin
It’s well known in modern psychology that our brains have a “negativity bias” that seeks out and attends to signs of danger. Becoming aware of your threat reactions and building practices to respond more effectively is part of my BYI (Bank Your Impact) system. Our “smart” technology and especially social media exploit this weakness. We will do well to arm ourselves against the impact. Interestingly, the great power in consistency is very clear when we learn to use it to navigate the demands inherent in life today. More on that below.
The hobgoblin, of course, is a trickster. It reinforces reactionary habits, giving a false sense of security. Consistent habits feel good, even when harmful. Furthermore, healthy consistency is found in patterns that are tested and regularly assessed for impact. My BYI system incorporates at its foundation, a 4 step reflection/learning process, as a guide. The steps fall into circular motion including: insight or element of focus or learning; expanding perspective; practicing for experience; assessing lessons learned.
Benefits of Being Consistent
We beat the hobgoblin when we make conscious choices of where and when to be consistent. That may be the most important brain training of all. Notice the productivity or counter-productivity of ruminations, wandering thoughts, then gently bring the mind back into focus and consciously choose the focus. Then ask – what can I do in this moment to be true to my goals or my desired path or my values? Even that small change, consistently applied, can dramatically change your relationship with yourself – and thus the world. In other words, when consistency is applied consciously, with a process of reflection, there is no oxygen for the hobgoblin.
Some equate disciplined thinking with consistency. Consistent can mean more than being disciplined – it can also mean showing agreement or alignment (being consistent with your words and actions) or showing up the same way over time, being “true” to one’s self. Moreover, it’s about being dependable, reliable, or “even-keeled.” It helps develop trust, because if you are consistent, people can predict your behavior no matter what is going on around you. On the other hand, if you are inconsistent, erratic, people may fear your reaction at any given time which can trigger drama around you.
Ultimately, the goal is to avoid being rigid, an extreme version of consistency. Rigidity may be recognized by putting a higher priority on being consistent than on being real or genuine. While being consistent is important, it’s just as useful to be adaptable and flexible when needed.
Foolishness Creating a Hobgoblin
When we dig in our heels (rigidity) because we choose consistency over choice or understanding context, we fail to be wise and we miss opportunities to grow. A mindful, growth-oriented person seeks continuous improvement. Improvement may mean expanding perspective or recognizing options that failed to appear clearly in the past. This provides the option to choose to act on this new knowledge or experience.
The hobgoblin will appear when we fail to see the nuances or the context in which something is occurring. This foolish consistency often, at least when not examined, appears noble or values-based. This can be the result of how much we prefer easy consistency of thinking. When we observe those able to respond to circumstances wisely we often fall prey to the simplistic arguments that challenge that fresh perspective.
Courage Against the Hobgoblin
Consistency in thought, belief, action or decision-making feels safe. Being consistent and trustworthy, as discussed above, is a noble and useful trait. When a consistent approach is foolish, it may require courage to shift gears. As Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests in his essay “Self-Reliance”, a great person doesn’t typically think consistently from one day to the next. This may be why the greatest among us are not recognized within their time. As I mention in my podcast episode, Emerson names people in history who have been misunderstood but their thinking ultimately prevailed or, at the very least, “stood the test of time”.
Guilt and shame are common themes used by the hobgoblin. When feeling “put in your place” or “back on your heels” it’s time to step back and reflect. This may be a moment when the hobgoblin is striking and for wisdom to prevail, courage is required. While in a coach’s practice, examples of the hobgoblin appearing are common, the story below is directly from a recent client experience and mirrors many of my own when serving in leadership roles.
A Story…
“Can you believe it Rox, the VP of HR is insisting I put this guy on reprimand. Every way I look at the situation it doesn’t make sense to me, but I’m new to this company.” My client, we’ll call Ray, is livid about the situation. Ray and I have worked together for more than 3 years and he asked his new employer to contract me, as his coach, as part of his employment contract. We both recognized the hobgoblin, especially when he finished his story with, “I was so disappointed when she signals that she’s winning the argument saying, ‘you don’t know our system but this is the way we do it in this company'”. My client nailed it – this is classic hobgoblin.
Essentially, this VP of HR is insisting Ray, in his first two weeks in a new leadership role, reprimand a direct report and put him on a disciplinary warning for performance. Ray is outraged, first because the process appears seriously flawed and secondly because the company, based on annual performance, is about to give this same employee a significant award. “But, Rox, it falls into their normal course of doing business in one respect and they appear incapable of seeing their policy in context.” Ray was triggered by the lack of logic and the shortsightedness of the recommendation.
After unpacking the emotions Ray and I co-created a plan for response that established his reputation with his new department. We also calculated the risk to his relationship with the HR department. He is navigating the situation as I write this and has reported feeling very proud of his ability to demonstrate courage in the face of the hobgoblin.
Walk With Me…
In April 2018 I brushed up against a call for meaning; an insight of sorts. It ultimately moved and inspired me to shift the focus of my practice. I’m walking with 30 to 35 year old’s, who are in a pivotal spot in life and career. Whether you’re HERE by age or spirit, I want to walk with you! Are YOU ready to do some self exploring & find the real meaning of your life? The research suggests you’ll embrace your inner REBEL in your 20’s and that most of you slip quietly into ACCOMMODATOR in your 30’s. Learning this grabbed my attention and my mission was clear. Moreover, I intend to bring out your inner rebel so you can make the difference you really want to make in the world.
In June 2018 I took a course in story telling. I was intent on finding my “Big Why” for shifting my practice. Ultimately, I landed on my story. It spans from my childhood, with a pivotal point in my early 20’s finally culminating in a significant career turning-point at the age of 37. This is the story that illuminated my purpose. In fact, remembering the moment of insight supports my efforts when this transition is difficult. It adds meaning to the work I’m currently doing. Listen below…
Feel like you’re living someone else’s destiny?
Willing to do the work to find more meaning?
Once you have the skills to unpack the emotions and barriers and triggers and mindset challenges with the skills in my BYI system, you’ll begin to see the impact in your career and you’ll find what matters most to you. Join me…
My goal is to make my system accessible and affordable. There are many ways you can engage with me….below you’ll find THREE to get started, without spending a dime.
WALK WITH ME…
- REGISTER for an ASK ROX RoundTable… TWO 50 minute engagements on ZOOM – the second Tuesday and the last Friday of every month – limited to 12 participants in each.
- BOOK a complimentary exploratory conversation 20-30 minutes.
- SUBSCRIBE to my mailing list from my home page, receive an interactive exercise helping you cope with stress, and a weekly reflection.
Walk with Me!
Of course I’d love to work with you, your team or organization so…
- Book me to speak at your conference or to a group in your organization. My workshops on building resilience, improving relationships, and increasing performance are popular.