The Limelight Effect

Let Me Speak To A Manager

Locus of control is the degree to which people believe that they, as opposed to external forces (beyond their influence), have control over the outcome of events in their lives. The concept was developed by Julian B. Rotter in 1954, and has since become an aspect of personality psychology. A person's "locus" (plural "loci", Latin for "place" or "location") is conceptualized as internal (a belief that one can control one's own life) or external (a belief that life is controlled by outside factors which the person cannot influence, or that chance or fate controls their lives). George Costanza of Seinfeld fame is a classic example of someone who lives with a mindset that nothing is in his control, and nothing is fair.

In this episode, Frank and Ian break down the tangible value of mindset in relation to careers:

• How early do we start to develop a locus of control?
• The role of sports on our mindset
• Why we take credit for the good, but explain away the bad
• How external limelighters make others feel
• The double standard - we expect others to own it, but don't always hold ourselves to that standard
• Unintended consequences of being too hard on yourself