When a trained horse is out on the trail, the rider can lead, and the horse will go willingly. However, when the horse sees the barn door, its finish line for the day’s work, it races toward the stable; mind unchangeable.
This behaviour, the tendency to bolt for the finish line when it’s in sight, was coined as “The Barn Door Effect”.
Humans aren’t immune to its effects either.
A study conducted on pilots found that en-route and at altitude, they would reliably change their course to avoid a dangerous thunderstorm. However, with the runway in sight, pilots were more likely to fly directly under the storm if they’d seen a previous plane make the trip safely.
It wouldn’t be right to claim The Barn Door Effect as an official law based on multiple peer-reviewed empirical studies, because it’s not. But it’s easy to feel the impact of the law in our day-to-day lives.
In malls and retail stores, it is common to see, “Sale On Now! 3 Days left!” plastered on the windows to invite consumers inside.
In a B2B negotiation, it’s normal to hear the selling party say, “You’ll need to accept the terms of the agreement by the end of the week or else the deal is off.”
Or even when you’re rushing to get home for family dinner, to think, “I don’t need to check my work before sending, I’m sure it’ll be okay.”
When we’re faced with the cocktail of 1) a finish line in sight, 2) time-based pressure, and 3) a decision containing risk, the barn door effect can lead us to making poor decisions.
Being aware of the finish line, and the pressures others may place on you, or the pressures you place on yourself, can be the key to avoiding some hairy consequences.