The HMAS Melbourne sank two friendly war ships during peacetime and was often referred to as “jinxed". The Curse of the Bambino cost the Boston Red Sox an 86 year World Series drought. Or, if we both utter the same thing at the same time…watch out.
The most powerful stories are often the ones we create to match our circumstances and to defend our choices…after they occur. It lets us off the hook…at least in our own minds. It gives us comfort to know that something else is at work, something outside of our control. It can’t possibly be because we made it so, or it was just our statistical turn.
Knowing this we can craft a different story. We can take responsibility to understand what’s really going on, to dig a little deeper to understand the science and the facts. And better yet, we can choose to use that posture of seeking insight to make better decisions, to lead change…and to get back on the hook.