PITFALL
SCIENTIFIC BASIS
WARNING SIGNS
SOLUTIONS
Commitment bias Maintaining a position even when the facts change Escalation of commitment Persisting in error to justify past decisions
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You defend decisions despite new data “We’ve always done it this way” You invest more in a failing project You penalise those who change their minds You advocate work–life balance but send emails at midnight You promote diversity but advancement remains homogeneous You speak of transparency but withhold information The team becomes cynical about your messages You treat all situations in the same way You apply rules without nuance You are perceived as inflexible People work around your processes Your processes have not evolved for years You resist new practices
Hold strong convictions while remaining open to change Reassess decisions in light of new data Value those who revise their views when aced with evidence Be consistent in values, flexible in methods Compare your stated values with your actual actions Ask where you are inconsistent (360° feedback) Explain when and why you need to deviate Put alignment mechanisms in place Be consistent in principles, flexible in application Train the team to adapt principles to context Document when and why exceptions are made Adjust systems that are not working Conduct regular retrospectives to improve Experiment: A/B tests, pilots, prototypes Learn from other industries (external scanning) Evolve practices while preserving core values
1. RIGID CONSISTENCY
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Pitfalls to avoid:
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Word–action gap Saying one thing and doing another Espoused theories vs. theories-in-use Stated values differ from actual behaviour
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2. INCONSISTENCY
Consistency
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!
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Simplicity bias Applying the same rules regardless of context
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3. CONSISTENCY
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WITHOUT CONTEXT
One-size-fits-all leadership Failure to adapt leadership style to situations
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Status quo bias Preference for maintaining things as they are Resistance to change Confusing consistency with immobility
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4. CONSISTENCY WITHOUT EVOLUTION
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“If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”
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The organisation stagnates while the world changes
22 © 2026 JONATHAN NORMAND. THIS WORK IS LICENSED UNDER A CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION NONCOMMERCIAL 4.0 INTERNATIONAL LICENSE (CC BY-NC 4.0)
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