Malicious compliance is the term used to describe when someone takes a superior's orders literally, knowing and intending that compliance may have unintended or negative results. Usually, it’s intentional, but sometimes it’s purely accidental. Delicious compliance is a spin-off of this occurrence and it involves food orders.

Anyhow, such compliance has to do with our mode of thinking, or rather the lack of it. What happens if we take things too literally? Is it possible to take them too literally? Very often we take something at its face value simply to avoid the burden of thinking. Just like agreeing with an idea because it’s an easy way out. Or we interpret it in a way that aligns with our ideas, beliefs and values.

No wonder the result is often unpleasant if the process lacks the process of thinking and reflecting upon the situation. We get used to getting orders and being told what to do, especially at work. Bluntly complying with orders also limits our potential to understand how things work, so it stops the potential for progress.

Most importantly, thinking before acting and measuring its consequences will help to reduce breakdowns in communication so that we can all be more open and willing to not just do what we’re told, but to do what’s best in a given situation. And this makes a whole lot of difference!