The obsession with sex was one of the elements in the dialogue and I learned that her solution to the problem (not mentioned as such in the interview) was a complete abstention of sexual relations; “believe me, I have been there,” she said, meaning that she knows it all about sexual obsessions.

I found this proposition especially interesting as a case for (explaining) Change Management.
Many people have obsessions, and sex is only one example, highly imaginative… sure, but obsessions are obsessions and therefore solution are (often, not always) inter-exchangeable to other areas.

To manage or lead a change you need a problematic situation (obsession) and some urgency to get rid of it.
Now the question is – does someone who abstains from an obsession shows that he or she is cured from that same obsession?

I don’t think so?
A possible definition of an obsession is: the extreme unbalance of attention. Wiki (2) defines it as:
Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress.

Extreme and unbalance are the main keywords and we meet these in our daily lives; special reports on the middle east conflict or nearly any other conflict but also in business where organization, teams and individuals are not able to balance their lives. The obsession is in contrast with a normal “preference” the extreme version that is taking over your life.

Of course, prevention is the best solution but second best is to find a solution that is less extreme. Complete abstention could be a start but not an end. Domination of the obsession -- having managed the change -- is where you have found a new balance. The translation to sexual obsessions are easy to make. Acknowledgement of the problem is the first step. The first step -- as with most steps in managing change -- is awareness of the problem.

Try to express it.

© 2007 Hans Bool

Hans Bool writes articles about management, culture and change. If you are interested to read or experience more about these topics have a look at: Astor White or sign-up for our newsletter.