|
|
Mitroff (2005)
Management >
Crisis Management >
Lectures > Independent Research >
Mitroff's book >The
effects of abnormal crises > Defence
mechanisms > Victim and villain >
Complexity >
4 styles of thinking >
Assumptions >
Structured problems >
4 views of crises >
Crisis tool kit >
Controlled paranoia >
General Motors >
Needed action > A well designed
organisation > Spirituality >
Benetton-Turkey >
Corporate emotional intelligence >
CM and betrayal > Myths
Myths
The most important way to understand a society is to know its central
myths, which explain basic assumptions about the world.
With regards to the US, for Wilkinson, the basic values and
drivers come from four basic fears:
- The fear of being owned - the forefathers were escaping
oppression and now there is a deep distrust of centralised
government and large institutions (explains why they don't like
Communism)
- The fear of falling apart - being overwhelmed by the size
and complexities of society, including terrorism. It is expressed at
a personal level with needing a perfect face, a perfect family etc.
It is about striving for identity and control in a turbulent world.
Mitroff adds the dimension of "blown apart" in the aftermath
of 9/11, the fear that underlies abnormal accidents.
- The fear of falling away - abandoning the American dreams
of the forefathers, including being the "moral beacon" of the world
- The fear of winding down - losing the boundless energy of
the forefathers, which explains why the US has overenthusiastic
energy.
For Reich, they are captured in four myths:
- The mob at the gates - creates an "us and them" scenario,
where the outsiders are evil
- The rot at the top - corruption at top management level.
The people below are innocent
- The triumphant individual - "lone wolf" American
succeeding and winning the day
- The benevolent society - America can do no wrong
Additional myths
|
|
