TM - October 2007 - (Page 33) MANAGING THE CULT OF PRODUCTIVITY You might know it when you see it in others, but it eludes simple description. “It” is toxic success — success that has crossed some kind of invisible boundary between normal and dysfunctional. Toxic success is a dysfunctional level of productivity and accomplishment that was once satisfying and energizing, and has become all-consuming, energy-depleting and dissatisfying. Physical and emotional health, interpersonal relationships and organizational performance all might be severely compromised because of the effects of toxic success. Just about everyone who achieves a high level of accomplishment is at one time or another at risk of toxic success. Why? Because success is seductive, flattering, self-reinforcing — and often lucrative. At some point, however, the costs of excessive productivity can begin to outweigh the rewards, and success can become engulfing. The slippery slope of toxic success often results from increased responsibility for high-stakes results. This increased responsibility, with the attendant personal status accrued by being in the limelight constantly, might take center stage and eventually overpower your deeply held values of contribution, service and living a fulfilling life. It really shouldn’t come as a surprise — images of success portrayed in the media reinforce a highly mythologized notion of success, one that overvalues material wealth and the sphere of command or “demand” of successful people. talent management magazine www.TalentMgt.com 33 October 2007 http://www.TalentMgt.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.