In other words, both dogs get the exact
same dosage of shock at the exact same
times, but only the first dog is in control
of the cage and how long each shock lasts.
After sixty-four shocks, both dogs go back
to their home cages, and new dogs are
brought in for the same procedure.
The next day, one by one, all the dogs are
placed in a different cage called a shuttle
box. In the middle, there’s a low wall, just
high enough that the dogs can leap the
barrier if they try. A high-pitched tone
plays, heralding an impending shock,
which comes through the floor of the
half of the shuttle box where the dog is
standing.
Nearly all the dogs who had control over
the shocks the previous day learn to leap
the barrier. They hear the tone and jump
over the wall to safety. In contrast, two-
thirds of the dogs which had no control
over the shocks the previous day just lie
down whimpering passively waiting for
the punishment to stop.
This experiment proved, for the first
time, that it isn’t suffering that leads to
hopelessness. It’s suffering you think you
can’t control or do anything to stop.
Bob too can succeed.
Like the dog in the
control cage, we need
to show Bob that he
has the tools and abil-
ities to positively in-
fluence his adverse
situation. Show him
that our efforts can do
a lot more to improve
our situations and fu-
ture. Show him that
divinity help, is the
light that shines upon
our faces; the wind
that blows behind our
backs, when we are
already out there ap-
plying our God given
abilities and energies.
In every level of our careers, and life, we
encounter situations that make us feel
helpless. Situations that make us feel
like we have hit the ultimate mark of our
abilities. Situations that make us feel like
giving up. In Marty and Steve’s research,
dogs were digging in from their previous
experiences for a belief that they can do
something to stop their suffering. I asked him several questions: Do you feel
you have explored all the available options
to solve this challenge? Do you believe
you have all that it takes to resolve this
problem? Have you given it your all? Are
there new skills and abilities that you need
to acquire in order to solve this problem?
Are there past success experiences you
can draw from?
When running a full marathon, and I
feel like giving up half way, I bring back
memories of when I finished a past
marathon. In some difficult situations,
we become optimistic when we know we
have been there before and we were able
to overcome by applying our abilities. I told him to go and think about answers
to those questions and then we can discuss
after one week. As expected, he didn’t
come back. And sales started growing
again. He explored and implemented
different sales tools and methods. He
applied himself differently. He believed.
He succeeded.
Further into the dog research, Marty
explains that while in life we all encounter
same problems, optimists habitually
search for temporary and specific causes
of their suffering, and therefore solutions,
whereas pessimists assume permanent and
pervasive causes are to blame.
Later in my career, I worked for a company
where we were under pressure to achieve
astronomical growth. The sales manager,
reporting to me, was young and energetic.
He was one of these guys whose career
growth happens quickly and with few
setbacks. His abilities and mental resolve
hadn’t faced a serious test.
In this company, we all felt like we were
in a pressure-cooker. We needed to get to
the pressure valves quickly. In the thick of
it, the sales manager walked into my office
looking beat and asked me to accept his
resignation.
He said he has had it. He was feeling he
was unable to deliver the expected results.
I said I had no problem letting him go, but
let’s first explore the situation together.
Bob too can succeed. Like the dog in the
control cage, we need to show Bob that
he has the tools and abilities to positively
influence his adverse situation. Show
him that our efforts can do a lot more
to improve our situations and future.
Show him that divinity help, is the light
that shines upon our faces; the wind that
blows behind our backs, when we are
already out there applying our God given
abilities and energies.
Herman Githinji is a seasoned
marketing practitioner and law
graduate from the University Of
Nairobi. Currently the CEO Bidco
Land O’Lakes Company that makes
quality Animal Feeds using American
Technology. You can commune with
him on this and related issues via email
on: [email protected].