Finding common ground
"Our similarities bring us to a common ground; our differences allow us to be fascinated with each other." Tom Robbins
Ok, I'll hang with politics for a bit longer but, of course, I'll place my emphasis on leadership. Simply put, there is an epidemic of unhealthy disagreement these days and I find that too many political leaders are focused more on attacking a person, political party, or identified group instead of the substance and efficacy of an idea or policy. Leaders have taken this to extremes fueling ego and anger and the media gobbles it up and perpetuates it. Social media is a contributor as well. Make no mistake. As I wrote in a previous blog on Ukraine, it will be our downfall as a nation.
One of the great sins of leadership is dismissing an idea just because it came from a person or party such as a competitor. There is no greater way to stifle a person, or group than to dismiss them. You'll get what you do not want and that is great thoughts and ideas which never reach the surface. I coach leaders who ask about disagreements to find common ground. Draw two circles and inside each, write down what you believe the other person desires. What are the pieces and parts of an argument, idea, or policy? How do they envision the end state? Next, take the two circles and overlap them. Here you should find common ground. The circles will only overlap slightly, hence the disagreement, but the portion of the circle which overlaps is where you'll find those things that two people or parties agree on. It is from this space we must work.
There is discipline involved here. Our tendency is to stay in the outer portions of the circle defending ourselves and our ideas, attacking the other person. It's a leader's job is to remain conscious of the warning signs, to listen, and to pull people to the middle where solutions are found. It is a leader's job to shed his or her own bias, bottle up their ego and ask themselves where they believe they may be wrong, and what and where they are willing to compromise.
There are no perfect policies but no policies - stalemate, serves no one. Politics is the art of compromise so says former U.S. Senator and Georgia Governor, Zell Miller. Whether on Capitol Hill or the co-working space, eventual solutions start with finding common ground and compromising for the common good. I pray our political leaders find the courage and leadership to do this.
Here is an informative TED Talk on the subject.
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell