Applicant Tree

Have you ever heard of the squirrel effect? I recently read about the squirrel effect which compares the storage and hoarding of nuts by a squirrel as equivalent to that of human beings in the workplace. Like the squirrel, people often hide what they deem important in the corporate world. What do people value most at work? Their ideas. People feel that the more information they store the more powerful they will be. Unfortunately, this cannot be true for long term success. Here’s why:

The misrepresented notion is that information gives you control. This power will reflect poorly on your image because you are not being a team player. Co-workers want to share the wealth of knowledge so everyone in the company can benefit instead of playing survival of the fittest. Ultimately you will lose the trust of others by hoarding your ideas. People don’t trust people who control them and don’t share information that is needed for everyone’s survival.

You have one brain and a lot of good ideas. I’m sure the person sitting next to you at work has just as many brilliant thoughts. Combining these thoughts can make your team valuable at work and eventually achieve more success. Stop darting around the office with your beady little eyes waiting to bury your wealth of ideas. You aren’t a squirrel and you don’t need to hide your nuts from predators. Start trusting and stop hoarding.