Performance Management Solutions

A quick check in Wikipedia shows that cognitive dissonance is a psychologocial term which describes the uncomfortable tension that may result from having two conflicting thoughts at the same time, or from engaging in behaviour that conflicts with one’s beliefs.

It might be simpler to think of it as being the perception of incompatibility between two ideas – often contradictory or paradoxical ideas – which acts as a driver that forces us to invent or acquire new or different thoughts/beliefs/opinions – or to modify exisiting ones – so as to reduce the discord or conflict we perceive. It is cognitive dissonance that stimulates development of new ideas and approaches.