The mob mentality...and the horror floor

Working in the financial services industry for the past 24 years (good golly, Miss Molly I'm old!) has provided me the opportunity to observe human behavior as it relates to change. Good change, bad change, change for the sake of boredom, it's all basically the same.

It's human nature to be afraid of change - lack of security shakes the foundation of our psyche. There's all sorts of reserach out there on the manifestations of this fear.

The most interesting aspect is something that I literally see happening around me today. The rumor mill at my current employer is overflowing! Talk of closing the location entirely, or certain business units being wiped out.... all the rumors wrapped up in people looking for "signs"....

Signs that "we" are going to be impacted (negatively):

• A request from HR for meeting with the manager next week
• Email requests for who has IT access to what applications
• Delayed projects with no explanation of when a decision will be made
• etc. etc. etc.

Signs that "we" are safe:

• A new copier/printer was delivered (not installed) to our area
• Budget planning continues

I really try not to read anything into these types of signs, because I know that anyone can get laid-off at a moment's notice. No matter how many things are on your plate, if you are the only one who knows how to do something.... when deicisions are made, these things are not taken into account.

So, upon analysis of these signs, my co-workers are starting up the horror floor machine... basically laying out the worst possible scenario. People packing their personal things based on NO actual information. Plotting on how to get information from the facilities people.... Calling for information on unemployment, how does COBRA work....you all know the drill! I think this behavior stems from not having any control over the situation. By packing, you have control. By gaining information, you are prepared. But the problem with playing into the mob mentality is that it is panacea by nature. You don't really have any more control. Your behavior will not change the ultimate outcome. You expend some much emotional overhead on transitioning between "we are safe... and... we will get hit."

So... I sit with no boxes packed... no pictures wrapped up.... no worry in my face. I'm waiting. if it happens, it does, if it doesn't. I don't have the emotional overhead to spend. Not today at least!