Dealing with escalation of commitment can be challenging but not impossible. While we discuss that in detail, we will also consider conflict of commitment. What more to expect? I will share with you the signs you need to know and strategies to overcome escalation of commitment. I hope you have a great read!
Understanding Escalation Of Commitment
In two different articles, where we discussed the importance of commitment and mental commitment, we looked at what commitment means. To understand the escalation of commitment, it is necessary that we consider what escalation means.
Escalation means an increase in activity or a situation where something becomes more serious. It supposes a high tension. In the same line, escalation of commitment is the increase of willingness to do something or continue a losing course due to the investment already made.
In this case, the fear of losing our investments and past choices compels us to keep going, ignoring the signs of more losses ahead. For that reason, we continue to spend money, time, and effort on something that is not working out.
A good example of this is a failing project at work that continues limping because stopping it would mean admitting the time and money already spent were wasted. Our ego, image, and desire not to fail fuels the escalation. We get to believe that if we invest a little more, things will turn around. Unfortunately, that usually makes the situation much worse.
The good news is that there are working ways to avoid and overcome escalation of commitment, and we will look at them in the course of this discussion. Meanwhile, I would like to fulfill a pledge I made in our previous discussion by shading more light on the conflict of commitment.
What Is Conflict of Commitment and How Does It Relate?
Many of us have been there before. We make a choice and stick with it, even when it is not the right one. Why do we do this? Does it have something to do with conflict of commitment or more? We will see.
What Exactly Is Conflict of Commitment?
Someone asked this question in a forum: which of the following most accurately describes a conflict of commitment? About four options were listed alphabetically with one correct answer, and while I highlighted that previously, here is the answer you need in a discussion.
Conflict of commitment refers to a situation where there are incompatible demands placed upon us by two or more sources, like your job and your family. Here, there is a pull in opposing directions, and we feel unsure of how to allocate our time, resources, and loyalty.
How Does Escalation of Commitment Relate?
Escalation of commitment is related to conflict of commitment in the opposite direction. It points to the tendency to increase our commitment to a choice or decision that we later realize was a mistake.
And with the obvious signs we should abandon our investment, we increase our commitment. We throw good money and time into bad and hope that if we persist long enough, we will make it big. I know a friend who did that and is still hoping, but currently, he is at a loss.
How Do We Avoid These Traps?
The keys to escaping commitment traps are awareness, objectivity, and flexibility. We should become aware of our tendency towards these behaviors and catch ourselves when we start to exhibit them.
Then, we need to look at the situation as objectively as possible, evaluating the choice based on facts rather than our previous investments.
Finally, we should maintain flexibility: be willing to cut our losses and change course, even if it is difficult. With regular practice of these techniques, we can avoid our biases and make better choices.
Signs You May Be Stuck in Escalation of Commitment
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you keep investing time, money or effort into something even though it is clearly not working out? We have all been there.
As humans, we tend to escalate our commitment to a previous decision despite the negative consequences. It is known as the “escalation of commitment” bias and it can be hard to recognize when you are in the thick of it.
Here are some signs that you may be stuck in the escalation of commitment:
You feel like you have too much invested to quit.
Whether it is a project at work that has gone off the rails or a relationship that has become unhealthy, you feel like you have put in so much already that you cannot walk away now. But that is the sunk cost fallacy talking. The time and effort you have already spent cannot be recovered, so the only thing that matters now is whether continuing will lead to a good outcome.
You are worried about what others might think.
You are concerned about how quitting might make you look to your colleagues, friends, or family. But their opinions should not dictate your decisions. Do what you know is right for you.
You keep making excuses and justifying your choice.
If you find yourself frequently coming up with reasons why you should continue even though things are not going well, it is a sign you may have escalated your commitment. Be honest with yourself about the situation.
You feel increasingly stressed and anxious.
Continuing down the same path when things have clearly gone wrong often leads to feelings of stress, dread, and anxiety. Your mental health and wellbeing should be a priority.
Strategies to Overcome Escalation of Commitment
We have been in situations where we get committed to a course of action, even when it is obviously not working out. I once committed myself to building a blog with all the signals of failure because I had already dedicated sleepless nights, my time, and resources to it. It was somehow difficult to break free from it, but the good news is that there are effective strategies we can use to deal with escalation of commitment. Let me share some of them with you.
Admit there is a problem. The first step is acknowledging that you are stuck in an escalating commitment. Be honest with yourself that the current course of action is not yielding the results you want. This awareness alone can help motivate you to make a change.
Get an outside perspective. Talk to someone who is not emotionally invested in the situation. Explain the full context to them and ask for their honest feedback. They may see options you have missed or point out faulty reasoning that is keeping you committed to the current path. Consider their input with an open mind.
Focus on sunk costs. The investments you have already made, like time, money, or effort, are sunk: gone no matter what. Don’t let them influence your future choices. Evaluate any new options based only on future benefits and costs. What will maximize your results going forward?
Consider opportunity costs. If you stay committed to your current course of action, what opportunities are you missing out on? The potential benefits you are forfeiting by not changing direction are your opportunity costs. Calculate them to determine if switching paths could be more advantageous.
Start small. Big changes can feel overwhelming when you are dealing with an escalation of commitment. Start by making small adjustments to your approach to build momentum. Even modest tweaks can help you gain a fresh perspective on the situation. Small wins boost your confidence to make bolder moves.
Breaking the cycle of escalating commitment is challenging, but by acknowledging the issue, gaining outside input, focusing on the future, and starting small, you can overcome it. Have the courage to let go of past choices and make the best decision for your current circumstances. You will feel liberated moving forward in a new direction.
