While Every Person Is Unique, Human Behavior Is Predictable

As an organizational behavior consultant, I view every business challenge as a combination of organizational issues (policies, organization structure, processes, etc.) and human behavior issues (predictable patterns of human behavior that influence our actions and reactions).  Today, I want to dig deeper on the human behavior side of this equation.

Human Behavior Is Predictable

From the start, some argue that, because each person is unique, human behavior cannot be predictable.  However, beginning with the fight or flight instincts present from early human existence, there are many such predictable behavior patterns evident today.  If we understand these patterns and apply this expertise, it’s possible to improve employee performance and organizational results.  Today we’ll look at four predictable human behavior patterns.

Organizational Change

From the time we first hear about any significant change (organizational or personal), there are a series of predictable steps that each person hopefully progresses through until the time they fully embrace the change.  

For example, the boss announces “our company just bought another company.”  Our first reaction is to want to know all about it.  What happened and why?  Next we move on to the ME questions.  How will this impact me?  And so on through the process until we fully embrace the information and return to full productivity.

There are many applications for this model to help employees move through the process as effectively and productively as possible.  Check out my other articles on organizational change.

The Path to Peak Performance

The process from being brand new to a task (new job, promotion, new responsiblity) to becoming a peak performer is a very predictable process.  There are some roadblocks along the way that, when we know about them, can be overcome more quickly. 

Here’s an example of this process in action.  A new employee may appear almost giddy the first day on the job.  We call this the Enthusiastic Beginner.  Then comes a phase commonly called buyers remorse.  “Wow, there is so much to keep track of in this job. I don’t know if I can do this.”  The process continues through other steps until we get to the Peak Performer.  The Peak Performer does the job very well and is able and willing to train/mentor others. 

Again, there are many applications for this model to improve employee performance and organizational results.

Non-Verbal Behavior

Non-verbal human behavior is very predictable. 

I don’t mean the books that say if a person looks up and to the right they are lying.  That’s not science.  It’s garbage.  I mean, for example, that there are seven facial expressions that humans display unconsciously, sometimes only for a fraction of a second, before they hide them with the expression they want you to see.  So, by looking for patterns of consistency in expressions and body language, it’s possible to gather more information than the person shares verbally.

There are many applications for this expertise from job interviews to employee performance.

Communication Style

Finally, by getting to know a person briefly, it’s possible to predict, in a broad sense, how each person is likely to view the world.  In addition, it’s also possible to predict how a person will also react under stress and pressure.  For example, some people thrive under pressure; others shut down. 

These insights have many applications in business from selecting the right employees to helping them succeed so that they are contributing to improving the organizations results.

Application for Improving Organizational Performance

These four models of human behavior are predictable.  The challenge in each of them is that there is no guarantee that an employee will progress all the way through a model.  That’s why, in many cases,  we get less than desirable results such as:

• the employee becomes an average performer instead of a peak performer
• the person hired is not the best fit for the job and later quits or is fired
• the employee is resistant to change and, as a result, reduces productivity and progress
• the employee’s communication style causes them problems and reduces their effectiveness.

Human behavior is predictable.  If we approach business challenges with this mindset, then we can more effectively appply these models and to improve employee performance and organizational results in our organizations.