I’m Sorry You Have Shiny-Object Syndrome

Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash

Shiny-Object Syndrome (SOS) has been sweeping through the world at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, it has effected business decisions for years and it’s primarily responsible for the stunted growth of companies every where.

Hotbeds of SOS infection include conferences, trade shows, LinkedIn groups and any other place where large numbers of business people gather to trade ideas and discuss tactics.

As business people we are all susceptible to catching SOS and it can flare up at any time. However, if you know the symptoms and are proactive in preventing it, SOS can be avoided.

Symptoms of Shiny-Object Syndrome

It is a viral disease which causes an irrational desire to use a new tactic despite is not fitting your company’s current initiatives. Symptoms can include:

• Erroneous decision making

• A sudden urge to use a specific tactic

• A strong irrational bond to the tactic

• Ignoring or dismissing ideas of other courses of action

• Short-term memory loss of organizational structures and/or initiatives

• Gathering of like-minded people as a show of strength even though they may be “yes people.”

If left untreated shiny-object syndrome can have detrimental effects on the long-term health of the organization and the individual’s career. These can include:

• Stunted organizational growth

• Underperforming initiatives

• Social isolation

• Obsolescence

Prevention and Maintenance of SOS

Only through proper planning and candid discussions can SOS flare ups be prevented or its effects minimized. One of the best ways to reduce the impacts of the disease is to see if your organization’s objectives align with the use of the tactic. It not, move on to something that will.

Some other questions to ask include:

• Is my organization structured to be able to use [insert tactic]?

• How does [tactic] support or improve what we are currently doing?

• Does this tactic open the company up to backlashes or negative consequences that we currently don’t have or are capable of handling?

• Why is this tactic appealing? Do we already have something similar?

Another way of preventing or mitigating the effects of SOS is to develop or leverage a relationship with a strategic partner. Although your partner(s) are just as susceptible, open discussions of goals and available strategies among a group of professionals is one of the best forms of preventative medicine.