We live in an EITHER/OR world. Well, actually, we live in an EITHER/OR culture. We either support that or this. One or the other. We either want this or that. One or the other. And we have to destroy that which we don’t support. Including those who support that. What a terrible way to live! Why can’t we have BOTH! Why can’t we support that and this? Oh, I changed a word, didn’t I? Or a perspective….
As a leader, you have to consider how to get to AND. You’ll achieve effectiveness when you do. And you’ll go nowhere when you don’t. That’s the truth!
Imagine, instead of choosing one or the other of your teammates to lead a group to accomplish a particular task, you choose both! There’s a high probability that each has unique perspectives, experiences, knowledge, even wisdom that can be combined to create a better solution or way. Don’t believe me? Look around you. Assuming that you’re working with others right now, what could you contribute to a tasking that others aren’t as knowledgeable or experienced in doing? Go ahead, look around. Now, what could each of those folks whom you just noticed provide that would make you and your team better? You may not know that, and probably won’t ever know unless you ask them. My guess is that if you asked them, they’d be more than willing to tell you. OMG, you may learn something about your coworker!
In my The OTHER F Word podcast this week, I mentioned that not everyone gets promoted when they’d like to. That’s true. And, again, it’s because we live in an EITHER/OR world that perpetuates that mentality. A truly Effective Leader will design a way to promote him AND her. Maybe not in the same way. I can’t tell you how, you’ll have to figure that out for yourself, and for them, but it’s probably possible. I’ll bet that you never thought of that though. It’s easier to acquiesce to the norm, either/or. But Effective Leaders don’t do that. They’re constantly looking for the best ways to lead by helping all of their followers.
If you take notice, the Universe in which we live isn’t separated by either/or. It’s inclusive. That’s why it’s call a uni-verse. It includes you AND me and all of what makes us us. If you’re going to lead effectively, start with considering how to lead with an AND mentality. I can win AND you can win. AND together, we’ll make this place a better place to work and live.
Until next time, be GREAT. You ARE!
HEIRPOWER!
bob vásquez!
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