Why mediocrity persists

In his book The Catalyst, Jonah Berger says:

“Terrible things get replaced, but mediocre things stick around. Horrible performance generates action, but average performance generates complacency.”

(p. 73), Simon & Schuster UK. Kindle Edition.

I like this quote because it reminds me of my own experience working somewhere that shall remain nameless. As things were limping along, the management were reluctant to upset the balance, which bred a culture of complacency. I tolerated it for a while because things weren't that bad. Until I could no longer take the circular meetings, discussing the same old problems, without taking any mitigation action. So I quit.

The quote also explains why people stay in relationships that are not conducive to their wellbeing. Emotionally abused women are wont to justify their staying by saying that if he, and it's usually a he, beat them outright, they would leave. They stay because things could be worse.

The moral of the story is this:

“When the status quo is terrible, it's easy to get people to switch. They're willing to change because inertia isn't a viable option. But when things aren't terrible, or are just okay but not great, its harder to get people to budge.”

Jonah Berger, The Catalyst (p. 72 - 73). Simon & Schuster UK. Kindle Edition.

Sad but true.

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