[August 30, 2017] The psychology of human beings is an enlightening realm of study even for the most casual leader. The reason is that people are both predictable and unpredictable; the science of psychology will forever work at narrowing the unpredictable. Learning to understand why people use stereotypes and its affects is a concern for leaders everywhere.
Leaders are in a constant battle over stereotypes because of the inevitable errors that descend upon those that use them. All good leaders know that to the true and they work hard to insure each personally avoids common mistakes that ultimately are a part of any stereotype.
“Stereotypes exist because there’s always some truth to stereotypes. Not always, but often.” – Maz Jobrani, Iranian-American comedian and actor
The reason why stereotypes are so prolific is that the human mind is limited in what it can process and simplifying one’s thoughts by categorizing things is both easy and rewarding. Despite the fact that there will be errors in what is useful from the use of a stereotype. Here is the reason why humans use them … a stereotype fulfills our need for meaningful information.
There are lessons for leaders. First, use of logic and reason to rid people of stereotyping behavior will not work. Second, substituting good information in place of stereotypical generalizations is a continuous and difficult effort. Third, properly teaching, coaching, and mentoring others about the psychology of humans are effective techniques. And fourth in combination with the other three lessons, exposing people to a variety of cultures helps to overcome stereotyping in the long run.
In the United States over the past few years a cottage industry of “deep PC thinkers”1 have taken it on themselves to rid the world of stereotypes through the use of shaming, violence, getting people fired from their jobs, suing them using the legal system, and other various forms of harassment. They do this because of the belief that unacceptable damage is being done when people use them. Such techniques are doomed to failure for the reasons already stated.
Whether we know it or not, all of us have stereotyped others and have been stereotyped ourselves. My wife is Italian and she tells me many of the stories about growing up in New York City and the variety of people there. My favorites of those she told us involve how she got into fist fights with other girls over name-calling because Italians at the time were considered dirty and stupid.
The battle over stereotypes continues and will go on forever as long as humans are human. Leaders, on the other hand, have the duty to help overcome the problems associated with stereotyping.
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- Political correctness (PC) is the source.