jdean3 - Tales of Transformation

There is a terrific metaphor in Lance Secretan’s book “Inspire!” that provides one of the best descriptions of many corporate workplaces I’ve seen.  I’m surprised I haven’t seen it in Dilbert!

We all know the term “copycat” as it applies to someone or something who imitates or adopts the behavior or practices of another.  Although it is cute when we are kids, it can be annoying later.  While imitation may be the best form of flattery, it can prove to be disastrous if we are following the WRONG behavior (even inadvertently).

The “copyfrog” label, however, combines this notion of imitation with the story of how a frog is boiled.

It seems that if you place a frog in HOT water it will immediately jump out.  However, if you place a frog in cool water and slowly heat it, the frog will stay until the water boils and it is too late to escape.

Lance Secretan lists one of the reasons we find it difficult to change is this copyfrog effect: …someone who is afraid to speak up for fear of ridicule or feeling alone, or appearing not to be a team player, even though many others may feel the same way, and are also afraid to speak out.  The result is that we copy the perceived (but not the real) beliefs of others — we copy others who are copying us.

Quite simply, by not jumping out of the water (or changing behavior) we are endorsing the status quo and ultimately leading to our collective demise.

If we model ourselves after those who have been successful (or appear to be so) rather than being authentic to our own souls it is easy to be trapped in denial when things turn bad.

Is it possible we have all been guilty of being a Copyfrog at one point or another in our lives?

Tags: change, copyfrog, lance secretan