day 965: Harmonics

 "Live in harmony with each other.".

 Over the years, we've spent time on resolution of conflicts in the workplace. Let's revisit that theme for another day and expand it to how we work with each other to get the the best from our ourselves and others. The best selling business book by Pat Lencioni; The Five Temptations of a CEO, describes one of the fatal temptations of a CEO being the quest to keep harmony in the workplace. While on the surface and in the context of his book, the point is a good one, I have also been in too many workplaces where what is really needed, is a big dose of harmony. You have seen it too where companies, teams, departments, or in groups where it is always a constant fight among individuals and constant politicking. So much so that the politics of the organization take over the culture and there is no harmony other than the harmony that everyone is political. This does not make for a fun or purposed workplace and it becomes nearly impossible for an individual to feel as she or he can rise to their full potential and purpose in that environment.

In Romans, 12:16, Paul is clear though that we are to strive for harmony. He says bluntly, "Live in harmony with each other.". It can be done, but it means that each of us have to dig deep into our souls and see if we are a part of the problem. If we are a part of the politics or the division of people and objectives, then we need to find a way to rise above the fray and become leaders of a different way. Each workplace has a definition of what harmony could be. That definition can be explored and uncovered by meeting and talking to those who are the best representations of harmony and alignment and staying on task or mission. And, usually, they are the people who everyone wants to work with or for. Can today, you seek out those people in your company and talk to them about how they have achieved this harmony in their team and then bring some of it back to your own team? Can you become an example and role model of how to bring harmony into the company and how to work with each other in a way that everyone can feel good about and be happy? I know you can!

Reference: Romans 12:16 (New Living Testament)

day 678: Conflict Management

"People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace."

I recently had the opportunity to experience a corporate culture where conflict management truly happens and is not like it is in most places, conflict avoidance. Few people relish the idea of conflict, and in fact we might tag those people with having an anger management issue. But, there is a healthy way to manage conflict and most organizations never get to that point. Rather, when conflict does arise either people avoid it or if they do try and manage the emotions around the conflict and it is uncomfortable and both sides of the conflict are spending so much time trying to manage themselves and assessing whether or not how the other person is responding that the true reason for the conflict never gets resolved. What we want is to be in a place where people can speak openly with each other, disagreeing without causing those extra emotions to rise up. Think how freeing it would be to be able to point out something we think is wrong without worrying that we are going to hurt someones feelings or that they are going to lash back out at us? In this culture I saw, disagreeing, expressing opinions and challenging each other was not just the norm, it is expected. The reason this works at this business is because there is a foundation of values and principles that are built on trust and everyone doing what is is right for the business first and themselves second. When this is real and obvious to all, it can be really powerful. So many companies would benefit from being able to openly manage conflict without hidden agendas, politics, or the worry of what someone else is going to think.

Solomon tells us that we should not avoid conflict, especially when we see wrong. It is then that he calls for us to bring forward not only a reproof, but a bold one at that. But, how do we do that in a way that doesn't alienate us from others, or cause others to be hurt when challenged? It starts with the relationship we have built with others. If we have established a relationship that is grounded in trust and our caring about the other person then even though they may not like what we have to say, there will be a level of respect and acceptance that we would never be able to reach if we hadn't taken the time and the energy to have already invested in them. We can start today in building those relationships that are strong and credible and from there be able to not let wrong pass, but instead be a voice of wisdom and influence when we step forward and speak out, without the worry of conflict.

Reference: Proverbs 10:10 (New Living Testament)

day 24: Resolution

How easy it is at work to have fall outs with co-workers over the most minuscule of things. The work environment, while trying to be a place of common purpose, mission and unified efforts is fraught with opportunities to become disjointed, fractured and misaligned. It's as if everyday there is a scattering force that takes over the minute we get to the office. I often think of it like when we were kids and would play with magnets and as hard as you tried you couldn't get all the magnets to stick together in line because there was always the negative force of the other end pushing away other magnets. And so, we wake up in the morning thinking not only about what we can achieve for the day, but we also think about how are we to overcome the petty fight that is lingering, or the boardroom battle that is looming, or the argument with the person who sits next to us. It doesn't make work as fun as it should be, does it? What are we as people of faith to do in these situations? Paul gives us a word in Philippians 2:1-2. He says that there is an encouragement we are to receive from belonging to Christ and that true happiness can be generated by finding a way to work together in agreement, a love for one another and working together with one mind and purpose. Paul wrote his letters to those who were doing ministry work in far-off places. But, his words are just as important for us who are seeking God's purpose in our work and trying to lead a life of example. If we can find a way to be a beacon of unified spirit and harmony in the workplace, then we will become a center of where others come to resolve conflicts and not be the source of conflicts ourselves. A day going into the office with all the arguments and conflicts resolved is a day that will be productive and purposeful. If you have some unfinished business today at work, take the time today to wipe the slate clean and be the leader of that resolution. The rest of the day, and tomorrow, will be better for sure.


Reference: Philippians 2:1-2 (New Living Testament)