Are You an Ostrich Leader? The Truth About Avoiding the Inevitable
- Sarah Moore
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
It’s Monday morning. You walk into your office, coffee in hand, feeling ready to take on the week. You open your inbox, and there it is, the email you’ve been dreading. The subject line? Notification of Assessment and Rating Visit.
Your heart skips a beat. Your brain immediately jumps to defence mode:
Maybe if I don’t open it, it won’t be real…
Seven days is AGES, plenty of time to get everything in order, right?
Oh, look! A fire drill to organise, three staff away today, and the fridge needs fixing. Guess I’ll deal with that first…
Sound familiar? If so, congratulations! You might be experiencing the Ostrich Effect.
What is the Ostrich Effect?
The Ostrich Effect is that sneaky little brain trick where we avoid confronting uncomfortable information, whether it's feedback, finances, or an upcoming assessment and rating visit. We know ignoring it won’t make it go away, but for a fleeting moment, it feels better than facing reality head-on.
And let’s be honest: we are all expert avoiders when it comes to certain things.
Haven’t updated your Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) since last year? No worries, that's the future you’s problem.
Keep putting off that difficult conversation with a staff member who’s constantly late? Maybe they’ll magically start setting their alarm earlier.
Still meaning to book that self-care day? (Wait… self-care? What’s that?)
Where is the Ostrich Effect Showing Up in Your Leadership?
Think about your week. What’s the thing you keep pushing to the bottom of your to-do list?
Is it:
Having that performance conversation?
Facing the ever-growing paperwork pile?
Reviewing your compliance documents (gulp)?
Finally getting around to updating the team’s rosters so they stop asking every five minutes?
The Ostrich Effect isn’t about being lazy, it’s about self-protection. Our brains are wired to avoid discomfort and seek instant relief. But avoiding the problem just makes it bigger.
How to Take Your Head Out of the Sand (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)
So, how do you not fall into the Ostrich Trap?
Here are some practical steps:
1. Name It to Tame It: Call yourself out: “Okay, I’m totally Ostrich-ing this assessment prep. What’s one small thing I can do today to make it easier?”
2. Break It Down: Overwhelmed? Start small. Instead of “update the QUIP,” write “review one section today.” Small wins lead to momentum.
3. Set a Timer: Dreading that email? Set a five-minute timer and read it. No action required, just awareness. Most of the time, the fear is worse than the reality.
4. Get Accountability: Tell a colleague, “I’m finally tackling [insert terrifying task] today, check in with me later to make sure I did it.”Accountability works wonders.
5. Remind Yourself: Future-You Will Thank You: Picture yourself one week from now when you’ve tackled that big task. How relieved will you feel? How much easier will things be?
Your Turn: Be Honest—Where Are You "Ostrich-ing" Right Now?
I’d love to hear from you! What’s the one thing you know you need to do, but keep avoiding? Drop a comment (or whisper it to yourself while staring at your to-do list). Be kind and don’t beat yourself up, the majority of us do this in one way or another, you are not alone! Remember self-compassion is key!
If you need an accountability buddy who can help you be the leader you want to be, I'd be happy to help. I offer one on one coaching and mentoring as well as my group workshops that are designed to give you the tools you need to shine.
Book in a 30 minute free discovery call with me using the link below or check out my leadership coaching offerings here.
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