This book explores the way that the human mind works and why we react the way we do sometimes. The basic premise is that the mind is split into 3 sections, the chimp, the human and the computer.
The chimp is your basic and reactionary self, this stems from the idea that sometimes we react emotionally and without thinking, the human mind is that of the person we see ourselves as a person who thinks before reacting to a situation and can consider other people’s needs. The computer is that of the automated responses that we give to situations when you say yes to that extra drink at the bar without thinking. Or you pull your hand away from a fire.
The book details the way we struggle to maintain a balance between the three minds at any time, and how we create automated responses daily through repetition and habits for either good or bad. How our chimp mind will override our human mind especially when it is not exercised and trained.
The book then gives the reader some great ways of understanding and controlling their own chimp mind, changing the way that they react to situations when stressed or tired, but also helping the reader to understand why they act the way they do when it is obvious after the fact that it was negative.
The book also gives tools to identify the chimp reactions in other people helping you to defuse a situation with others when confronted by irrational behaviour.
From a business point of view being able to control your own chimp is paramount, but also being able to recognise the chimp behaviour in others and not react to it is priceless.
Understanding the way in which people are triggered, helps leaders in all aspects of business, after all, businesses are made up of people, each of which needs to be managed in a different way depending on how their chimp reacts, but also as a troop, helping you to motivate people as a team and identify members who are outsiders.
Conclusion
The Chimp Paradox should be an interesting read for anyone who deals with people on a regular basis or have some behaviour of their own that they do not recognise the cause of.
Being able to understand themselves can be extremely powerful
