…You might be right!I was with the family at a Target this past week and was reminded of an experience I had at a Target in high school.I was cruising around and I began to feel like someone was following me. Was I paranoid? I was with my parents and the time and I told them and they thought I was nuts. I told them I really thought I was being followed.
I began to function neurotically and began to go all around the store to confirm my suspicions and yes, my paranoia was building because there was a dude tailing me the whole way. I took him on a big goose chase until it was time to leave.As I was heading out the door, I saw this guy go over to a security guard with a clipboard. Basically, what happened was this guy was in training on theft prevention or whatever and he was assigned to practice tailing me in the store.But I took a lesson from the experience – sometimes when you’re feeling paranoid or that someone’s out to get you, you’re absolutely right! 
I didn’t intend when I sat down to give a leadership or organizational application, but I’ll do it for the fun of it since it’s there for me to do. In organizations, it’s helpful to keep this in mind. I favor giving people the benefit of the doubt, but I also believe it’s prudent to pay attention to your instincts if there are strong sensations of paranoia. If they are too strong then maybe you should go see a doctor! But if you have a strong sense that there’s funny business around you, you might be right. It’s good to learn and pay attention to your environment.Before I start coming off like Mel Gibson’s character in Conspiracy Theory, this isn’t a theoretical notion here. Scapegoating, blameshifting, control via silence, and relational politics are all themes that have popped up on this blog before. These dynamics are real and pop up consistently even when people are not being malicious or are aware that that is the end result of their decisions and actions. Sometimes these things pop up and they are aware but they have developed iron-clad rationalizations for what they are doing. Whatever the case may be, it’s helpful to understand the bigger picture and what’s going on around you lest you be blindsided.Now I’m not advocating giving into paranoia because it’s an extreme form of fear and we shouldn’t be living life always looking over our shoulder. I don’t suggest doing the equivalent of building a bomb shelter for yourself in your work place. I’m just advocating that people pay attention to what’s going on around them. A lot of people don’t regroup from the first time where they feel completely ambushed in either relationships or organizations. Understanding doesn’t eliminate the pain, but it can help your sanity.I wrote this as more of a humor post than a leadership and life post so take it for what it’s worth. There are those that know exactly what I’m talking about here and there are those that will think I’m on the same plane as dudes who walk around with antennas on their heads. And those that spiritualize and believe the good intentions and good people always translates to good behavior and right action, they might struggle with this more than anyone.And for those of you who range from mildly to severely paranoid right now, I found the following pyramid of paranoia that may help you discern the threats you are perceiving around you (X-Files Music Goes Right Here)
