The broken window theory is a criminological theory that states that visible signs of misbehaviour and civil disorder create an environment that encourages further misbehaviour and disorder, leading to serious crimes. As a corollary to the theory, when an environment is well-tended and problems dealt with as they arise, that also affects attitudes and leads to continued good management and maintenance.
This theory was firstly introduced by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling, in an article titled "Broken Windows", in the March 1982 The Atlantic Monthly.
"Social psychologists and police officers tend to agree that if a window in a building is broken and is left unrepaired, all the rest of the windows will soon be broken. This is as true in nice neighborhoods as in rundown ones. Window-breaking does not necessarily occur on a large scale because some areas are inhabited by determined window-breakers whereas others are populated by window-lovers; rather, one unrepaired broken window is a signal that no one cares, and so breaking more windows costs nothing. (It has always been fun.)"
In a business context, broken window theory is applied not only to elements of the physical workplace environment, but any kind of outstanding issue that has not been promptly dealt with. Problems like poor human resource management, disconnected corporate cultures, or a lack of employee engagement can each be considered a broken window. Each problem that goes unattended in a given environment affects people's attitude toward that environment and leads to more problems.
A successful strategy to avoid broken windows effect dragging you down, is to address the problems when they are small. Repair the very first broken windows within a short time, and the tendency is that more windows are much less likely to be broken or done further damage.
Targeting minor problems helps to create an atmosphere of order and self-discipline, thereby preventing more serious problems. Once you begin to deal with the small problems, you begin to empower yourself and people around.
