In today’s fast-paced professional world, breadcrumbing isn’t just a strategy—it’s often used as a way to cope or stay afloat. Whether we mean to or not, most of us have played a part in breadcrumbing—whether as a boss, a colleague, or a job candidate. It’s become a common part of workplace behavior, often without us even noticing.
So what is breadcrumbing, really—and is it possible you’re engaging in it without knowing?
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “intermittent reinforcement” mean? “Breadcrumbing is a modern, popular culture term for what psychologists call intermittent reinforcement, which is one of the strongest ways to keep someone interested and on the hook.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “presenteeism” mean? ” If “Another popular term ‘presenteeism, where an employee may ‘do just enough’ to meet expectations, promising to improve performance ‘eventually,’ all while maintaining a status quo that benefits them.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “mixed signal” mean? “The breadcrumber sends mixed signals—for example, praise followed by a lack of action, or interest with no follow-through—leading the breadcrumbee to remain uncertain and hopeful.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- How is breadcrumbing different from normal delays or bureaucracy at work?
- Do you think breadcrumbing is more common in certain industries or roles?
- Have you ever experienced breadcrumbing at work or during a job search?
- Do you think breadcrumbing is a form of workplace manipulation? Why or why not?