What Is the “Superstition Trap” in Successful Careers?
It’s the confusion of correlation with causality: “I behave this way and get results; therefore, my results come because I behave this way.” This trap masks the crucial distinction between behaviors that produce success (“because of”) and those tolerated “in spite of” success.
Metaphor
Believing that all our behaviors contributed to our success is like wearing a lucky tie to every big meeting, because you once got a promotion while wearing it. The tie didn’t cause the success; it just happened to tag along for the ride.
In careers, the “superstition trap” makes us cling to habits that success merely tolerates, not ones that actually earn it.
Works Consulted
In addition to any sources cited above, the following works informed my thinking: (1)
1.
Goldsmith M. What Got You Here Won’t Get You There [Internet]. Profile Books; 2013. Available from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84525.What_Got_You_Here_Won_t_Get_You_There