Peer Pressure

For some reason, peer pressure has always been given a bad rap whenever it was explained to me. A parent, teacher, or some other person of authority would use the example of how kids would start doing drugs because, "everyone else was doing it." They would also use the saying of, "Just because Joey jumps off a cliff, that doesn't mean you should" Peer pressure was always explained as making me wanting to do something bad. They never said, "Since Joey is starting a business, I think you should too."

Since I believe that everyone of us is going to be in position of authority someday, I thought I would pass along a lesson that I learned a while back.

Peer pressure is a MUCH more powerful concept than a boss.

What this means is that even though most of us have either witnessed or performed to screaming boss act, it is really not that effective. Now I imagine that most of us realize this, but I personally never really understood what else to do. This changed when I heard this saying. It goes to show that all I really have to do to get someone to do something, is make them feel out of place by not doing it. Most people want to conform, rather than be rebels. A system that encourages positive peer pressure is like any business; it time and effort to set up, but after that, it almost runs itself.

So the next time you feel like yelling and "showing someone who is boss" remember this little statement. Try to make them feel self-conscious for doing the wrong thing, and you will be on your way to a very effective system.

Good Luck With Everything!

Mark Zimmer