They’re in control for a reason.
You know when you’re not entirely in control?
It’s not feeling sure, a little scary, and has an uncertain feel — plus, those jumpy feelings somehow win you over, mixing into an unnerving sense of overwhelm.
I’ve always envied people whose sense of control seems unquestionable. They’re so skilled at getting things done that they’re so effective that they’re virtually proper.
I’ve learned that gaining a better understanding of ‘locus of control’ is a great way to improve one’s skills overall.
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The concept of ‘Locus of Control‘ is a psychological principle that refers to an individual’s belief about what causes the good or bad results in their life, in general, or specific areas such as health or academics.
- Internal Locus of Control: Individuals with an internal locus of control believe they have control over their lives. Their successes or failures result from their actions and behaviors.
- External Locus of Control: Those with an external locus of control attribute their successes or failures to external factors, such as luck, fate, or other people’s actions.
Background Overview on Internal vs. External ‘Locus of Control’
The concept of locus of control was developed by psychologist Julian B. Rotter in 1954. It is considered a significant aspect of personality theories.
Understanding whether an individual has an internal or external locus of control can provide insight into how they perceive the world and their role.
Understanding the Internal vs. External ‘Locus of Control’ in Human Behavior
Understanding the locus of control is essential in comprehending human behavior, particularly in business. It can influence motivation, decision-making, and job satisfaction.
For instance, employees with an internal locus of control may be more proactive and committed to their work, believing their efforts can lead to success.
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Benefits and Limitations of Understanding an Internal vs. External ‘Locus of Control’
Benefits:
- Predicting Behavior: Understanding an individual’s locus of control can help predict their behavior in various situations.
- Enhancing Performance: Those with an internal locus of control often perform better in tasks and jobs as they believe their efforts directly impact the outcome.
- Improving Job Satisfaction: Individuals with an internal locus of control often have higher job satisfaction.
Limitations:
- Overconfidence: Those with an internal locus of control may become overconfident, ignoring external factors that can impact outcomes.
- Victim Blaming: Individuals with an external locus of control may blame others for their failures, avoiding personal responsibility.
Features of Internal and External ‘Locus of Control’
Internal Locus of Control:
- Self-motivation.
- High level of personal responsibility.
- Proactive behavior.
External Locus of Control:
- Dependence on external factors.
- Reactive behavior.
- Tendency to blame others for failures.
Examples of Internal Locus of Control in Business
- Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurs often exhibit a high degree of internal locus of control. They believe their success depends on their actions, decisions, and strategies. For instance, an entrepreneur might attribute the success of their startup to their innovative ideas, hard work, and strategic decision-making.
- Leadership: A manager with an internal locus of control might believe that the team’s performance is directly related to their leadership skills. If the team succeeds, they attribute it to their effective leadership. If the team fails, they believe it’s due to their leadership shortcomings.
- Sales: A salesperson with an internal locus of control might believe that their sales numbers directly result from their effort, skills, and strategies. They might think that improving their sales techniques or working harder can increase their sales.
Examples of External Locus of Control in Business
- Market Conditions: A business owner with an external locus of control might attribute their business’s success or failure to market conditions. For instance, if their business is doing well, they might attribute it to a booming economy. If their company struggles, they might blame it on a sluggish economy.
- Competition: A company might attribute its loss of market share to increased competition or disruptive technologies introduced by competitors, reflecting an external locus of control.
- Regulations: A business might attribute its inability to expand or increase profits to stringent government regulations or law changes, indicating an external locus of control.
Challenges with an Internal vs. External ‘Locus of Control’ and Examples
- Overconfidence: An internal locus of control can lead to overconfidence, causing individuals to overlook risks. For example, a manager might take on a project without considering potential obstacles, believing their skills alone can ensure success.
- Lack of Responsibility: An external locus of control can lead to a lack of personal responsibility. For instance, an employee might blame their poor performance on their colleagues rather than their lack of effort.
- Stress and Burnout: Those with an internal locus of control may feel overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed, leading to stress and burnout.
- Lack of Motivation: Those with an external locus of control may lack motivation, believing their efforts won’t significantly impact outcomes.
- Difficulty in Teamwork: An internal locus of control can lead to problems in teamwork, as individuals may believe they alone must handle tasks.
Overcoming the Impact of Internal vs. External ‘Locus of Control’
- Self-Awareness: Understand your locus of control and how it impacts your behavior and decision-making.
- Balance: Strive for a balance between internal and external locus of control. Recognize your role in your successes and failures, but also acknowledge the role of external factors.
- Responsibility: Take responsibility for your actions, regardless of your locus of control.
- Flexibility: Be flexible and adaptable, understanding that different situations may require a distinct locus of control.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly seek feedback to understand how your locus of control may impact your performance and relationships.
Pros and Cons of Internal vs. External ‘Locus of Control’
Internal Locus of Control:
- Pros: Higher motivation, better performance, increased job satisfaction.
- Cons: Risk of overconfidence, potential for stress and burnout.
External Locus of Control:
- Pros: Better ability to cope with failures, less likely to experience stress and burnout.
- Cons: Lower motivation, the tendency to blame others, the potential for lack of personal responsibility.
Conclusion
Understanding the concept of locus of control and its implications can significantly impact business outcomes.
By recognizing whether an individual leans towards an internal or external locus of control, businesses can better predict behavior, enhance performance, and improve job satisfaction.
However, striving for a balance and acknowledging both personal effort and external factors in determining outcomes are essential.
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With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.