Ever found yourself rationalizing a decision to skip that difficult meeting or avoiding a project because 'It’s not urgent right now'?
Freud would call that a defense mechanism—a psychological strategy to protect ourselves from uncomfortable truths. Denial, projection, rationalization, and displacement aren’t just psychological terms from the past—they're alive and well in our daily work life.
As leaders and team members, understanding our own defense mechanisms (and those of others) can improve communication and collaboration. When we recognize these patterns, we stop hiding from the hard stuff and start addressing the real issues head-on.
Are your defense mechanisms helping or hindering your success?
