Successful problem solving comes from a true appraisal of the role each of us plays in the problems we encounter. We are all familiar with the school-yard bully who strikes terror and creates chaos for those easily intimidated.

They often pick on the weakest among the group to show others the consequences of failing to pay attention to the bully. The bully and his actions are indeed a problem and it affects teamwork, communication, trust, conflict resolution and motivation. Bullies are easy to spot.

There is however, a less obvious individual that also affects teamwork, communication, trust, conflict resolution, and motivation. And quite often, this less obvious individual passionately asserts that everything or everyone else is the root cause of the problem. But in reality, they are the root cause. You and everyone else around this individual can see that they are the problem, yet they are unable to see the truth.

Self-deception is simply the problem of not being able to see one's own problem. And self-deception is often at the very heart of organizational performance. Problems of teamwork, communication, trust, conflict resolution, and motivation are often manifestations of self-deception. Self-deception blinds us to the true nature of problems and often makes matters much worse. Only through careful analysis, an open mind, and feedback from others who care, can an individual begin to break the bonds of self-deception. But first, we have to acknowledge the fact that we may be the problem that is causing the problem.

Yes bullies are easy to spot. But self-deception is very deceptive indeed!