Fear and its impact on decision-making and rationality at work

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions that can influence human behavior. When a person is exposed to severe pressure from fear, their ability to think rationally diminishes, and the mind turns towards primitive reactions driven by the instinct of survival. In this case, it becomes easy for a person to fall into the trap of superstitions and irrational beliefs.

When fear spreads among a group of people, fear turns into a collective state known as “herd instinct.” This instinct drives people to act in the same way as those around them, without analysis or thought. In the workplace, this behavior may lead to ill-considered decisions, where collective pressure prevails and voices calling for rationality and deliberation are excluded.

When fear controls individuals, it may stimulate feelings of cruelty towards others, especially those who are not considered part of the group. This type of collective fear can reinforce division within work environments or communities, leading to the emergence of exclusionary and hostile tendencies towards others. Under the pressure of fear, holding onto superstitious or irrational beliefs may seem to provide justification for harsh or hostile behavior.

In the workplace, fear can manifest in many forms, whether it is fear of failure, fear of losing one’s job, or fear of change. Under the influence of these fears, leaders and employees may make rash and ill-considered decisions, which exacerbate problems rather than solve them.

The ability to think clearly is impaired under the influence of extreme fear. When the mind is preoccupied with escaping the source of danger, there is little room to analyze information and make rational decisions. Therefore, it is essential to have effective strategies for managing fear in the workplace, especially during stressful times.

One of the key steps to overcoming fear in the workplace is to foster a culture of transparency and trust. When employees feel confident in their leaders and colleagues, it becomes easier to face challenges with a positive spirit. It is important for leaders to realize that fear leads to isolation and withdrawal, while an environment of trust encourages innovation and collaboration.

Encouraging open discussion can be an effective way to avoid the influence of herd instinct. It is important that everyone is given the opportunity to express their opinions freely without fear of criticism. This type of environment promotes creative thinking and reduces the spread of superstitious beliefs that may arise when transparency is lacking.

Managing fear also requires enhancing emotional intelligence. When individuals learn how to deal with and understand their emotions, they become better able to make rational decisions in difficult times. Leaders who possess emotional intelligence can support their teams in overcoming feelings of fear, which leads to improved overall performance.

It is also important to have psychological support channels available in the workplace. Dealing with fear sometimes requires external assistance, such as training sessions or individual counseling. These efforts help reduce stress and fear, and enhance individuals’ ability to think clearly and make better decisions.

Ultimately, we must realize that fear is a part of life and cannot be completely ignored, but it should not be the dominant force in decision-making. The more we learn how to manage and deal with fear, the better able we are to build healthy and productive work environments.

Eng. Rami Makki

Business Consultant