This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
What Is It Costing You?
Robert Sutton suggested organizations would be convinced to take his advice if they estimated the total cost of the actions of the type of employees he discusses.17 So, from his example, we provide an informal estimate of one’s Total Cost of Self-Handicapping (TCSH). Calculating exactly how many hours are lost, nerves shattered, dollars spent, heath problems started, employees disengaged, or customers/friends forced away by self-handicapping is probably impossible; however, even with crude measurement, going through this quick exercise to calculate your TCSH Score is illustrative of what this problem is costing you. Try it. Consider all of the self-handicap categories to begin to calculate (see Table 1.2).
Table 1.2 Total Cost of Self-Handicapping Calculation
Cost of the hours you spend in coaching/discipline |
Costs associated with what you take home |
Cost of disengaged, dissatisfied employees |
Cost of blame, conflict, and retaliation |
Cost of lost sales, productivity or innovation |
Health problems and emotional costs to you |
Time spent with your boss |
Sub-total cost per SH area |
|
Lack of awareness |
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Tunnel vision |
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Avoiding accountability |
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Poor talent development |
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Poor communication |
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Micromanaging and lack of boundaries |
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Poor analysis and decision making |
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Not driving for results |
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Poor engagement |
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Sub-total cost per function |
GRAND TOTAL COST: |
You don’t have to spend an inordinate amount of time on this exercise to realize self-handicapping costs individuals far more than they realize. Self-handicapping is learned; and therefore, can be unlearned, reduced and overcome. It may not be easy—those behaviors have served since childhood and early career.