On surface level, finding a broken window on buildings and houses is interpreted as neglect and lack of concern to do repairs. At times a broken window becomes a ‘window of opportunity’ to unknown or would be criminals to come and break in. In other instances, a neglected broken window can escalate to zero window when the entire glass breaks away from the window frame.
According to Psychology today, the broken windows theory, defined in 1982 by social scientists James Wilson and George Kelling, drawing on earlier research by Stanford University psychologist Philip Zimbardo, argues that no matter how rich or poor a neighborhood, one broken window would soon lead to many more windows being broken. This is more like a snowballing effect of negligence and ignoring problems.
Broken window theory is the model that each problem that goes unaddressed in a given environment affects people’s attitude toward that environment and leads to more problems. It brings the attitude of if they aren’t fixing it then why should I bother!
In the business, team management and office context broken window theory is applied to outstanding unattended issued that keep getting ignored.
Such workplace and team dynamic problems that are synonymous to a broken window include;
It takes initiative from the team leadership and senior management to address these broken window elements. Ignoring them leads to a negative and carefree chain reaction amongst team members which ends up breeding a negative work and team culture. As it escalates, the broken window bigger and larger therefore leaving no window to look at.
Team leaders should build a trusting work environment that encourages employees to voice their thoughts, feelings and opinions. Leaders and senior management should be intentional on employee and work culture assessment on an agreed frequency whether yearly or quarterly.
When it comes to effective and productive employee engagement, ignorance of your team performance pain points is not bliss.
Now go forth and look for your broken window.
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