Cognitive dissonance, coined by psychologist Leon Festinger, refers to the internal conflict when actions don't align with values or beliefs.
In product and project management, individuals often experience cognitive dissonance, rationalizing decisions in complex roles.
The balancing act in product management leads to feeling like a hypocrite and creating internal justifications to resolve dissonance.
Project managers are pressured to maintain time, scope, and cost balance, resulting in contradictions and self-blame.
When product and project managers operate from dissonance, frustration grows, and the product integrity suffers.
Cognitive dissonance affects culture and behavior, becoming normalized and leading to disillusionment.
Acknowledging cognitive dissonance allows for adaptation and growth in leadership.
Transparency and self-awareness help in managing cognitive dissonance, promoting trust and conscious decision-making.
Identifying personal values and aligning actions with principles can help in stopping the drift caused by cognitive dissonance.
Repetitive conflicts indicate system flaws rather than personal failures, shifting the focus from individual shortcomings to systemic issues.
Cognitive dissonance signifies a concern for doing things correctly and telling the truth, emphasizing the importance of addressing conflicts rather than ignoring them.