In this video, I break down the “fraud triangle”—a concept that explains how small, bad decisions can snowball into life-shattering consequences. It’s a theory rooted in white-collar crime, but the reality is that anyone facing high-pressure situations can fall into this trap. I’ll show you how this played a role in my own mistakes and why understanding it could save you from making the same ones. This isn’t just theory—it’s about making smarter choices.
Pressure: The Invisible Force
Pressure is something we all face—it’s a constant. But it’s never obvious. It builds slowly, quietly, and without warning. The real issue isn’t the pressure itself; it’s how we handle it.
When I was a stockbroker, the pressure was relentless. I had to perform, produce, and prove my worth. Money and status came with weight. But pressure isn’t just about work—it’s also about living up to expectations. The struggle is knowing when you’re pushing yourself to meet the right goals or compromising your values to impress others.
Here’s the truth: some people face the same pressures and stay grounded. It’s all about how you respond. Do you stick to your values or start making excuses to justify bad decisions?
Rationalization: The Dangerous Justification
Rationalization is the lie we tell ourselves to make bad choices feel acceptable. It’s what lets us sleep at night after doing something we know isn’t right. And when you’re under pressure, it’s easy to fall into that trap.
I saw it all around me in the industry. Colleagues, peers, even bosses bending the rules, cutting corners, breaking the law—and getting rewarded for it. They were getting promoted, making more money. It’s easy to tell yourself, “Everyone’s doing it” or “This is just how business works.” You start to believe that breaking the rules is the only way to succeed.
For me, it began with small justifications. “It’s not a big deal” or “I deserve this.” But once you start rationalizing, it’s a slippery slope. I convinced myself bending the rules was harmless because everyone else was doing it. The pressure I felt made it seem like the only way to stay ahead. And once you’re on that path, getting off isn’t easy.
Opportunity: The Door You Should Never Open
Opportunity is where things get real. You can feel all the pressure in the world, and you can rationalize your choices all day long, but nothing actually happens until you act on the opportunity in front of you.
For me, I created my own opportunities. I put myself in positions where shortcuts were too tempting to ignore. I saw others taking risks, succeeding, and thought, “Why not me?” The truth is, opportunities don’t just appear—they’re a product of the choices you make. And once you’ve opened that door, it’s damn near impossible to close it.
Sometimes, the opportunity comes from someone else—a higher-up offering you a way to cut corners or bend the rules. But at the end of the day, it’s your decision whether to walk through that door. And once you do, you’re walking straight into consequences.
What You Can Do Now
Understanding the fraud triangle isn’t about making excuses for your mistakes—it’s about owning up to them and recognizing what led you there. When you know the factors behind your wrong decisions, you’re in a better position to avoid making the same mistakes again.
Take a hard look at your life. Are you under pressure? Are you justifying choices that you know aren’t right? Are there opportunities tempting you to cross lines you shouldn’t?
Step back. Ask yourself the tough questions.
Discussion Question:
How has pressure influenced some of the choices you’ve made, and what steps can you take to respond differently next time?
Join us every Monday at 1 PM PST / 4 PM EST for our weekly webinar!
Justin Paperny
