There are situations in daily life that deeply intrigue and even frustrate me about human passivity. This behaviour, although seemingly insignificant at times, has far-reaching consequences and directly impacts the world we live in.
Let me share two examples to illustrate this.
A friend of mine rented a flat on Airbnb for a holiday with five other people. When they arrived, they realized there were only five bath towels and five cups, even though the flat was advertised for six guests. I suggested she contact the host to report the issue and request the missing items, but she replied: “I don’t want to ruin my holiday with this. I’ll just use a hand towel, and someone can drink from a glass.” While this decision was convenient at the time, it also represented an acceptance of subpar service without holding the host accountable or driving any improvement.
This behaviour confirms a common human tendency: we often prefer to stay in our comfort zones because stepping out requires effort, energy, and sometimes confrontation. The same can be seen in various aspects of our personal and professional lives, where we tend to avoid challenges and remain stagnant instead of addressing the root of our frustrations.
Another example comes from my own experience with custom-made furniture. I encountered numerous issues: poor service, delays, design flaws, and a complete lack of solutions. When I shared my frustrations, people around me responded with remarks like: “There are always issues with construction or custom furniture.” To make matters worse, the store manager told me, with complete resignation: “I’ve seen worse. These things happen, and they’ll keep happening.” He seemed entirely absorbed by the status quo, as if accepting the problem was easier than working to fix it.
These responses reinforce the idea that avoiding discomfort often prevents change. Confronting such situations would require planning, persistence, and engaging with others – an effort many simply prefer to avoid.
These examples have shown me how dangerous passivity can be. Whether it’s a missing cup or towel or more significant issues like substandard services, choosing not to act perpetuates cycles of mediocrity and dissatisfaction.
As for me, I can’t stay silent. If I’m on a bus and see someone occupying a priority seat while someone in need is standing, I speak up. Because if no one takes action, nothing changes.
This passivity also manifests in other areas of life, such as our relationships, career plans, and even health. We remain stagnant, complaining about routines or things that aren’t working, yet hesitate to step out of our comfort zones to fix what bothers us.
And in the corporate world, how does this apply?
The culture of “not my responsibility” is also prevalent in organizations. When employees witness inefficient processes, inadequate practices, or questionable decisions but choose not to act, problems persist. Remaining in the comfort zone – even if it means tolerating bad processes or a toxic environment – often feels easier than striving for improvements or proposing changes.
Companies that fail to value feedback or encourage collaborative change create stagnant environments where the potential for innovation and growth is stifled. This organizational inertia reflects individual behaviour: we avoid short-term discomfort, but in doing so, we ignore the long-term negative consequences.
Taking action isn’t easy, whether in personal or professional settings. But it’s the only way to drive real change. Every time we choose not to act, we reinforce the failure as an acceptable standard. Whether it’s by reporting poor service or suggesting improvements at work, every voice matters.
Let’s abandon passivity and embrace the responsibility of building a better world – and better workplaces. After all, change only happens when people stop “leaving it to others” and are willing to step out of their comfort zones.
