Putting Petty Differences Aside
By Craig S. Galati
Business, as in life, is full of issues, relationships and different thoughts, ideas and approaches. One of the keys to getting things accomplished lies in one’s ability to cut through these issues and differences to work with others collaboratively for the higher good.
Watching Congress grapple with the financial bailout plan this past week brought to mind a now infamous quote by embattled Los Angeleno, Rodney King: “Why can’t we just all get along?”
Our Congress appears unable to put its petty differences aside to work collaboratively to find a solution to the financial crisis facing our nation. Where one stands on the issue is irrelevant to the point I’m trying to make, which is: people should work together to do the best job they can, regardless of their personal feelings toward each other. This is especially true in times of crisis. Who’s to blame doesn’t help solve the issue at hand. Playing the blame game during situations like this only polarizes positions and keeps the parties from working together.
I’ve used Congress as an example of something that happens all too often in daily business situations. People, for some reason, feel the need to take positions, to posture and point blame. What would the world be like if we could put our petty differences aside? I imagine that I can hear the world’s collective stress level diminish just like a balloon releasing air.
Here are some things to consider:
Blame doesn’t move a team closer to resolution. When a group is working on a project or trying to solve a problem, it really doesn’t matter who caused the problem at hand. What really matters is that the parties resolve the issue and work together for the greater good. When you are working as part of a team, remind everyone of the team’s purpose. It almost certainly is not to judge and blame each other. Once you have resolved the issue facing the team, it is good to understand what caused the issue, not to assess blame, but to learn from the situation. Once the issue is resolved, there will be less emotion and a clearer heads will prevail.
Personal viewpoints aren’t always good for your organization. An individual’s personal agenda or viewpoint might be important to that person but when working with a team or on a broader issue, it is irrelevant. The problem is that most people have a difficult time putting their individual feelings aside. As a team member, it is important to keep the overall perspective paramount and to encourage your colleagues to do the same.
One’s ability to get things done lies in one’s ability to forget. I’m sure that you have heard the saying, “forgive and forget.” The ability to put that saying into practice is of particular importance when working with a group or within an organization. You will not always like the way others behave one on one or within a group setting, but you will undoubtedly need to work with some of these folks in the future. Holding a grudge or being unable to let go of your opinion regarding their behavior will inhibit your ability to work with the group. Let it go. Forget about it.
I’d like to hear from you:
• Do you have any advice on how to put one’s differences aside?
• Have you worked with someone who cannot put aside differences? What did you do? What was the long-term outcome or result of this behavior?
Until next time …
Craig