Historically, the word “mojo” has been associated with witchcraft and voodoo — specifically, the ability to cast spells. Over the years, it has become urban slang for personal power, magnetism and charisma.
In business, mojo refers to the moment we do something purposeful and powerful — an act lauded by others. For some, it represents personal advancement: moving forward, making progress, achieving goals, clearing hurdles, passing the competition — and doing so with increasing ease. Star athletes call this being “in the zone.”
Lost Mojo
In Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back If You Lose It, leadership expert Marshall Goldsmith introduces the term “nojo”—the opposite of mojo.
Nojo sufferers approach their work negatively. They’re bored, frustrated, dispirited and confused, and they aren’t shy about sharing their dissatisfaction with others.
Goldsmith lists some professional mistakes that contribute to nojo in otherwise competent, successful and smart people:
1. Over-committing
The old adage, “If you want something done, just ask a busy person,” may apply to you. And if you’re ambitious, the last thing you want to admit to your boss or coworkers is that you can’t handle everything.
If you believe you have superpowers, you will box yourself into a corner by taking on too many tasks. At that point, the quality of work and good humor will begin to fail, and you’ll lose your mojo (and possibly much more).
2. Waiting for the Facts to Change
When we experience a setback, it’s not uncommon for us to wait for the facts to change into something more to our liking. Such wishful thinking is the opposite of over-committing, as it leads to under-acting. Instead of doing something, you freeze and do nothing.
When the facts are hard to swallow, ask yourself: “What path would I take if I knew the situation won’t get any better?” Then, get ready pursue that path.
3. Looking for Logic in All the Wrong Places
We devote many professional hours to finding logic in situations where none exists.
Human beings are profoundly illogical. Our minds crave order, fairness and justice, and we’re trained to value logic. But much of life, work and decisions that affect us are unreasonable, unfair or unjust, which sets us up for disappointment and can kill mojo.
We sometimes hope logic will prevail against all odds and that it will prove we’re in the right. If we capriciously stick to our guns until the bitter end, everyone will see how right we are. In the meantime, we seriously damage important relationships.
4. Bashing the Boss
Talent-management firm DDI found that the average American spends 15 hours a month criticizing or complaining about his or her boss. Indeed, boss-bashing is a popular diversion.
But while it may relieve tension and get a few laughs, denigrating your boss is not particularly attractive. Other people will wonder what you’ll say about them when they’re not around.
Bashing doesn’t build a better boss. It only serves to tarnish your reputation and lower your mojo.
5. Refusing to Change Because of “Sunk Cost”
Once incurred, a sunk cost cannot be recovered. Unfortunately, it’s also the basis for many irrational decisions that go against our best interest. When we throw more money at a problem and hope for different results, we compound the error — all because we cannot admit our error.
Are your decisions based on what you might lose or what you have to gain?
Your devotion to sunk costs may be costing you more than you know: your mojo.
6. Confusing the Mode You’re in
We have two modes of behavior: professional and relaxed. Our professional selves are image-conscious. We pay attention to how we look, dress, speak and behave. We can’t afford to be sloppy.
In relaxed mode, some of us go to opposite extremes. We’re less guarded about everything, including our speech, language and use of humor.
So, what happens when we’re in relaxed mode, but still in the company of work colleagues and friends? Are we sarcastic and cynical in ways inappropriate to the office setting?
The more you close the gap between who you are as a professional and who you are when relaxed, the greater the trust and confidence you’ll generate.