Negativity Bias

Like most people I have a chequered history with judging character. I tend to remember the times I got it wrong rather than the times I got it right. It’s very much the case that as I have got older I have become less sure of myself and my judgement. The truth is that I am probably not as bad as I think I am, but I know that I am likely to be more negative about people’s motives and much more likely to be careful with trusting them.

The perception I have is that people are far more self centred than they used to be which definitely colours my initial approach to them. I have seen management, especially senior management, become more and more demanding and less and less supportive over the years. Once you get to Centre Manager and particularly above there seems to be a very poor approach to staff where welfare comes a very definite last in their calculations. For that reason I am inherently suspicious of anyone from board level who says they care.

People in public spaces are far less respectful of others and they are often deliberately antagonistic, particularly young men. They indulge in behaviour that would have been totally beyond the pale for anyone back in the 70s, 80s and 90s. So again, if I see young men on a train I am always very negative in my head, expecting them to show me no respect. I have to admit, however, that such bad behaviour is still the exception rather than the rule.

It’s nearly Christmas as I write, so let’s end this on a positive note. The other day I received a Christmas card from my former colleagues and it gave me a really positive feeling to know that they remembered me so fondly especially at Christmas. In truth, most people I have dealt with are more like these colleagues, but I have to admit that in day to day interactions it will be difficult to remember that.