Getting Back To Basics: Navigating a Polarized Work Environment

As we close out June and prepare for celebrations of Independence Day I find our country more polarized than ever. A firm believer in the fact that the strength of America lies in the premise that each of us has a right to S/he/their point of view. Unfortunately what has been lost is the opportunity to dialogue with one another. To help the other  understand your point of view… and or provide information you were not aware of.   The worst case requiring agreeing to disagree.  In the 16th Century Macchiavelli wrote The Prince espousing tenets by which princes could rule. It is best known for the concept of divide and conquer. 

Growing polarization in the US is seeping into our workplaces.  Deleterious for successful  businesses and our workforce.  Divide and conquer encourages the use of fear, hesitancy, and immobilizes action.  Simply put, only the ruler knows what is truly going on.  Built on a foundation of power, domination and separateness. 

I’d like to provide a different perspective of what I think exists today. Workers realize the importance of providing security and safety for their families.  Recognizing they need to put food on the table.  Don’t we all believe in that?  

Human beings are goal directed so we get jobs that utilize our talents. An empowered worker adds value to the workplace. S/he/they may have a brilliant innovation, or insight. Of course you may not want to hear what the person has to say at a given point of time.  Schedule a few minutes when you can focus and “receive the gift”.  Don’t we all whether in the C Suite or on the shop floor want to be recognized and valued?  

A few things to pay attention to: 

  1. Track how empathic you are. Just notice for a week to 10 days. Can you improve? What might you need to revisit?

  2. When starting a meeting ask that all devices be turned off then take a moment for everyone to get focussed.  Think of exercise.  Thirty seconds can feel like a long time.

  3. If your body is giving you signals that something is off don’t ignore them. Your body will never lie to you.

  4. Make a simple plan to improve your communication skills.

Choice in the workplace is something many have lost sight of.  We may not be able to influence everything around us but we can begin to pay attention to our reactions and check out our assumptions.

Enjoy your holiday. Some may not celebrate it as a day of freedom for all.  Perhaps a great starting point for a dialogue. 

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