Ostrich Syndrome vs. Surfers Mindset

By Murali Prakash 

There are two ways to face changes or negative information. Either like an ostrich or like a surfer. The path chosen will determine the future outcome for you and your teams.

What is Ostrich Syndrome?

Many economists bring out what they term Ostrich Syndrome to reflect upon the tendency to avoid negative information. It is widely used in the investor community. It’s described as a resultant effect due to the conflict in our minds on what is rational and known to be important against what’s emotional and tries to avoid the pain associated with it. Many deny, avoid, and refuse to accept what sometimes is nakedly exposed or obvious.

Why does the ostrich bury his head in the sand?

Yet another myth. Ostrich never buries its head in the sand. Common sense would allude that doing so means committing suicide as there is no way to breathe once the head is in the sand, which we describe as asphyxiation. The popular belief is in the face of uncertainties and danger; they resort to this. It has perhaps evolved out of an optical illusion (literally) where due to their colour when they look for food, the head lies so low, and with the desert heat, visibility could create the illusion. Besides, they keep their heads very low and close to the ground in a sandstorm to avoid sand getting in. These may have led to this popular myth.

What does the syndrome mean to individuals?

In extreme cases, this behaviour could drive people and teams into severe depression or situations that could be termed as slipping into an abyss due to Ignoring and neglecting apparent changes that are occurring or being oblivious. One could often see fear and procrastination being associated with individuals who are masking behind this syndrome. Worse, this could be a full-blown psychological issue that could ruin the future, and at best, it could be a milder issue that will not cause a lifetime of pain and damage to oneself.

What would it mean to businesses?

This can be a serious enough issue for businesses just as much as it could be for an individual. We’ve often heard businesses ignoring new technology that could become category killers. The Kodak to Blockbuster traditional books stores such as Borders to many others could be cited as examples. There are hundreds and thousands of smaller lesser-known entities perishing every day, and many due to ignorance. Technology is just one such externality. Macroeconomic changes, Political and social changes are some other things that could go south, and we could end up with dire consequences if we choose to ignore them.

Just think for a moment…

Just think. What’s the last time an earthquake or a massive natural calamity hit people or businesses, and they perished, just like the dinosaurs? A few perhaps and none of the big ones that’s come to our minds. Most others are either due to not acting timely on change or lack of foresight to timely buy into the right opportunities. That is the reason why Ostrich syndrome is essential not to be ignored. It’s the change that we see and chooses to ignore due to fear, insensitiveness, or any other reasons. Reality is not in check.

It is also pertinent to acknowledge that all are not comfortable facing head-on all adversities. In fact, it might not be the best to do so. There are times that you might want to lie low or at least strategically steer clear of a head-on battle or immediate frontal action. Ostrich syndrome’s answer is not to be someone who shows Dutch courage in taking fear or uncertainty for breakfast, as the saying goes. That could be foolish. Instead, it is prudent to learn to navigate through strategically.

The surfer’s mindset

On the contrary, we’ve seen surfers. The strongest of the waves where a small oversight could mean you would perish. Waves change every second, and each one is different from the other. It starts and breaks at different points and rides at different heights. The technique surfers use to ride the wave. They don’t force through the wave, but rather ride it and navigate along until they find the sweet spot to move at optimum speed and cool off at the right time and space.

Riding the opportunity wave

In the wake of changes and uncertainties, we should be looking at Surfing instead of Ostrich Syndrome. Picking up the right wave, fine-tuning your position at the peak, and is focused on your target are some critical areas surfers look into. Instead of evading changes or being fearful, we need to choose the right opportunity within the change and ride that wave to the maximum.

Every adversity has an opportunity. In every change, there is a golden line that drives to the peak. In every fearful encounter, there is a great lesson to be learned on resilience and courage.

The take-home

Don’t be an ostrich. Be a surfer. If we understand that we could ride the change or fear and not necessarily that we must face the full force of it head-on, the chances are that we will not try to ignore it or avoid it. Instead, they will learn to navigate through and make use of it for their betterment.

Every time we see change, think of the surfer, and try to find,

• The best opportunity within to ride – this could be based on your strengths.
• Map the best time within that opportunity to show your strength and/or expand options for yourself.
• Don’t lose focus throughout this journey. Your destination and dream should always be intact.

(The writer is a thought leader with over 35 years of corporate experience. He can be reached on [email protected]; LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/muraliprakash.)