Economic loss from grumpiness

Recent findings that young chimps develop very similar to human children by playing with siblings and friends, further illustrate the importance of lightheartedness in learning and creativity. The youth do not take themselves too seriously and thus have a higher capacity for learning. As they mature, it appears that they lose this playfulness and this erode their ability to learn and innovate.

More importantly, the loss to the economy from grumpy adults is significant. Those who take themselves too seriously have a negative effect not only on themselves but everybody around them. If adults can delay the onset of grumpiness and pretenses of seriousness, they may be able to improve their creative content. This has implications for policy both in education and organization structures.

In education, this implies that social development of children is as important as the technical content. More importantly, exposure to diverse cultures and experiences is dominant. In organization structures, this implies that companies should seek out those who inspire than the ones who can manage (2). Large contemporary companies are dominated by grumpy managers who are adept at counting but are unable to inspire the people around them.

Long time ago, the founders of Hewlett-Packard Company instituted the concept of management by walking around and created an inspiring company. Elimination of grumpiness has to be an important strategic intent of organizations who want to succeed in the future.

(1) Chimps Play Like Humans: Playful Behavior of Young Chimps Develops Like That of Children. Science Daily Nov 16. 2011 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116174735.htm

(2) Flexibility : Flexible Companies for the Uncertain World. http://www.amazon.com/Flexibility-Flexible-Companies-Uncertain-World/dp/1439816328/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321833816&sr=8-1