We often use the term “capricious” in a casual setting, but what does it mean in a professional business setting? Simply put, capricious means something unpredictable or subject to whims and fancies. It can be used to describe decisions made by people that don’t necessarily adhere to any logical pattern, but rather are based on whims and impulses.
Capriciousness in the Workplace
In a professional environment, such behaviour is often seen as problematic and unprofessional, particularly in cases where decisions are being made in a formal setting and need to be based on objective metrics. For example, if a manager were to make a decision on hiring an employee completely out of whim, it would be considered capricious. This would not be an effective way to manage a team, as it would not adhere to any sort of rational plan.
Examples of Capriciousness in Business
One modern example of capriciousness in business can be found in the venture capital industry. Many venture capitalists are solely focused on certain types of investments, and simply disregard any others. This means that potential investments that do not meet a VC’s predetermined criteria are simply disregarded without any sort of rational consideration. Similarly, it is not uncommon for company boards to make decisions without considering any underlying metrics or data, simply opting instead for what their gut feeling tells them.
The Implications of Capricious Decisions
Capricious decisions can have serious repercussions in any professional environment. Not only is this behaviour seen as unprofessional and unbecoming, but it can also lead to costly decisions that do not have any benefit to the company. Such decisions often lead to a lack of trust and respect in the workplace, especially if the decisions are seen as having been made solely for personal gain.
The Bottom Line
In short, capriciousness in the workplace should be avoided at all costs. Making decisions solely based on whims and fancies not only goes against business principles, but also can result in costly mistakes. It is best to always make decisions after considering objective metrics, and to think carefully before committing to any action.