Blinded by Labels

In the past week I have been in meetings where a) the differences between the "generations" at work, b) Myers-Briggs tests, and c) PDP tests, have all been cited as the basis for decision making. In my opinion, they might as well have just added zodiac signs.

Over the years I have found these "tools" to be, at best, slightly amusing parlor tricks and, at worst, weapons used to psychologically maim people.

An example - one person retorted when I expressed my views on this hokum - "My profile says I need clear direction when given an assignment. I need to know why. When my boss gives me a "why," I always do better on the assignment." Really? Is there anyone who prefers to kept in the dark and doesn't benefit from understanding why?

Do you see my point? This stuff is most universal assertions packaged in professional gobbledygook (thanks Michelle Golden for reintroducing me to that word). They are the business equivalent of, "I am a Scorpio, as a desert sign, I like long walks on the beach."

The problem here is that these labels (Gen X, Gen Y, ENTJ, ISFP, High D, Low C, Aries, Scorpio) blind people to the truth. The best example I can give you is politics.

Last night I post this story and graph with the following comment - "Attention Republican/Conservatives, your party is not in favor of smaller government."

My friend, John, replied, "Why would a well-paid, well-pensioned, government employee favor smaller government? And even if it's their 'platform', why would anyone actually believe them?" Great point!

My reply, "For the same reasons that Democrats/Liberals believe that their president was going to end the wars - They are blinded by labels."

Labeling people does not promote good decision making, it promotes blindness to the truth.