Where there's heat, there's light.
~Source Unknown~
Differences of opinion are important.
They help us push for innovation and fuel change. And at some point in every discussion, we need to find consensus in order to move forward.
Consensus is an essential building block of community - it’s a matter of focus.
It’s about focusing on what binds us together instead of that which tears us apart.
In nearly every organizational development project I engage in, the leader starts our private background conversations with something like, “I’m concerned about these conversations – there’s so much we disagree on. Can you help us get past all that, have positive/productive discussions and define the path forward?”
Yes.
I do that nearly every day in my client work in areas that include strategic planning, team development, branding, visioning, goal-setting and executive coaching. I do it based upon the collection of data – assessment instruments, employee surveys, stakeholder surveys, document analysis and observation are the building blocks of my work.
Building communities at work never concerns me – I’ve been trained to identify consensus as a building block for building relationships and work communities for years and my clients are relieved when we leave with results rather than unresolved disagreements.
Community-building and consensus are the foundation for just about anything we hope will have positive outcomes.
As we head into election day this week, I think of a mantra I’ve been restating in my mind and in my home for the last few weeks: community over politics.
This mantra popped into my mind after a gut-wrenching conversation with a neighbor a few weeks ago.
My neighbor told me that her husband was just diagnosed with cancer. She needed to talk that particular morning and we just happened to pass at the right time. We talked for 30 minutes about life, her concerns, her worries and more. And she asked me about my family.
Communities are built on kindness.
When a hurricane hits – it doesn’t choose who it hits or how hard, but when the hurricane passes, we help one another. We clear the debris, check on one another and move forward.
Community.
I think back at times when my community – virtual and local - have supported me and my family. They’ve brought food, sent cards and offered acts of kindness – like mowing our lawn and wrapping our Christmas gifts when we could not.
Acts of kindness do not know political affiliation.
We walk together in this life – through good times and in bad – in challenges and achievements – always with differing political affiliations as one piece of who we are – but it doesn’t reveal the whole picture of who we are or how we will be when the hurricane hits.
Community.
I don’t know what will happen this week – but I know that community is more important than politics. It must be. Like you, I have strong feelings, passions and apprehensions about this election – but whatever happens – we must walk through this together.
Community. Kindness. Compassion.
Each of us knows a coworker, landlord, friend, family member, client, neighbor with differing politic beliefs but at the end of the day It’s about focusing on what binds us together instead of that which tears us apart.
There will always be things on which we disagree – but my work has taught me that every group can come together – every group has areas of consensus on which to build.
Differences of opinion shed light on the path to consensus.
I’m counting on it now.
Sending you wishes for productive meetings - sending light and wishing you well.
~Kathy~
Kathy Sturgis, Ph.D. Kathy is founder of Refreshment Zone and is an organizational and personal development specialist with a doctorate in communication. Contact Kathy@RefreshmentZone.com for more information on strategic planning, mission statement renewal, executive/personal coaching or motivational programs.
