Reasons/Factors for Complacency

Complacency does not relate only to blindness concerning the future. It can also indicate a smug satisfaction with the current status quo, and a resistance to creative techniques such as lateral thinking. This complacency can cut off paths of development and growth even when are no threats in the future.

There are many reasons why complacency occurs.

· Some people have an aversion to taking risks
They tend to stick to the current situation or carry on the currently followed processes out of fear of loosing and taking risk. This is generally evident amongst senior executives who are just elected. What counts for them is continuity and survival and hence it results in complacency. There might be a new/better product in the market which isn’t used that could have otherwise helped in increasing the operational efficiency/profits for the organization.

· Others are frightened of creativity and new ideas because they are unsure of how to deal with them
There are many people who don’t know how to handle creative stuff. For example an innovative product introduced in the marker, will not be bought by all people even on knowing its characteristics and advantages over existing products. The people who do try are called innovators and they become opinion makers whom the others – followers follow.

· Past Experience
The past experience a person had might keep him away from trying new things. This would in turn result into complacency. “Once bitten, twice shy” is an apt phrase for the same. For example, there might be a person who bought a newly introduced product and because it was detected with defects later wouldn’t want to try out new things in future. He would instead stick to products/services he uses or switch only after severe persuasion and after providing testimonials.

· Arrogance also plays a part in complacency
Then there are people who tend to stick to the products/services they buy or have already bought. This is because it would hurt their ego in letting it go. For example there might be a person who wanted to be an innovator/opinion maker and bought a new gizmo first up from the market. And because he has spent so much money, he would stick to it even though there is a better cheaper product available.