The ‘locus of control’ is a concept developed by psychologist Julian Rotter that explores the attitude of people who believe that their destiny depends on themselves (internal locus) compared to those who believe that it does not depend on them but on external factors (external locus).

In practical terms, there are people who take responsibility for their own lives, health and work because they are convinced that they can directly influence them. Other people, on the other hand, do not take responsibility, sometimes “offloading” it onto others or waiting for events to happen because they believe they have no effect on what happens in the world.

In a business context, the locus of control is the basis for defining responsibilities, tasks, roles and organisational hierarchies.