A key concept to ascertain in an interview or early stages of a relationship is whether a person has an Internal or External Locus of Control.
Those pre-disposed to Internal believe they are in control of their destiny and are responsible for the outcomes in their lives. Got a bad review? I’ll work harder. Money is tight? I’ll start a side hustle. Marriage in trouble? Let’s go to counseling and learn what I can do differently.
Those pre-disposed to an External Locus of Control believe things happen to them and that external circumstances are responsible for how things are. Got a bad review? That boss never liked me. Money is tight? Those darn politicians have messed with the economy. Marriage in trouble? I’m unlucky in love.
There are always excuses for those who look externally first, and there are always actions the internal-leaning can try. In his book Good to Great, Jim Collins describes it as looking in the mirror or looking outside the window. The executives who lead great companies looked in the mirror when something went awry.
Listen carefully to your internal voice when confronted with something that goes wrong — is your first response to blame something or to own it? How you respond determines whether you’re in the driver’s seat or just along for the ride.
