It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
In this New Year I'm going to continue to explore some leadership quotes that might challenge us, inspire us or remind us of different aspects of the leadership journey. This is part of my personal journey to keep growing, learning and being stretched! Join me each Tuesday at 2:00pm (PST). It will take you just a few minutes to read through the 2 sections of this post, but don't miss the final section where I share some of the things I'm reading, listening to and enjoying this week.
You can find past posts on my website HERE.
Enjoy!
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
“To get real diversity of thought, you need to find the people who genuinely hold different views and invite them into the conversation." Adam Grant
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
This is the last quote from Adam Grant and it's a good one! You can see past posts HERE.
I don't know about you, but I am learning to be quiet.
I cautiously share my views with friends, colleagues or people I don't know that well because I'm afraid to offend someone or I don't want to engage in a debate. I just want a conversation!
I don't post online much anymore, especially anything personal because I've been called names, critiqued, challenged and flatly told I'm wrong.
When I meet someone new, I dance around the edges of controversy, trying to determine where someone stands without just asking them.
At times I feel paralyzed, and I wonder how we got to this place.
I don't know if you feel the same way, but when I'm able to have honest discussion, when I'm able to disagree and have an intelligent conversation, it's like a breath of fresh air.
I long to be honest, to discuss things that matter, to be challenged, to re-consider my position based on what I'm learning, and I want the security of a real relationship to be the most important thing, not the topic of the conversation.
I've always disagreed with things close friends of mine believe, and they've disagreed with me too, but we are still close friends. This actually makes us better friends because it tests our relationship.
Adam Grant's quote above speaks to this, and I long for diversity of opinion, position and perspective. This is what makes us better!
How do you respond when your views or perspective is not received well? How does this make you feel?
DEEPER STILL:
I recently read an article on this from Dr. Melina West (linked below) and she shares a couple of helpful tips to managing "differences of opinion"
She encourages you to:
#1) ASK QUESTIONS. Seek to understand by digging in a little deeper. Ask, then listen for the answers instead of formulating your response.
#2) FIND COMMON GROUND. Look for things you agree on and build some bridges in your relationship. Don't just focus on the differences.
#3) CARE FOR YOURSELF. If you feel it's getting to personal or to combative, step away. Take care of yourself in the moment and communicate clearly what you need.
Don't be afraid to pursue conversation and relationship with people who view things differently than you do. If you're like me, the tendency is to isolate, avoid and disengage from people. Don't let fear or uncomfortable conversations keep you from learning, engaging, and continuing to pursue relationship, even when there are things you don't agree with!
Thank you Adam Grant for this thought and the challenge.
Identify someone who comes from a different perspective than you and pursue a conversation. Try these 3 things above and see how the conversation goes!
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Find out more about Adam Grant
Sr. Melia West on Mind Ease: "How to Manage Differences of Opinion with Friends or Family"
I just watched the first episode of this Netflix Documentary and look forward to the next 3: Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones. A great documentary on aging!
OK, so I've had some time on airplanes the past few weeks, but that's done now. However, I watched a great film on Netflix called 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible. This is a great documentary on a Nepali mountain climber and his quest to summit 14 of the worlds 8,000 meter peaks in 7 months. Crazy story, incredible resolve from he and his team, and beautiful mountains. A MUST SEE!
To the quote above, Andy Stanley's book, "Not in it to win it" is a response for the church. Really good perspective on this topic!
We attended a benefit for HomeWord this past week, led by our friend and mentor, Jim Burns. Very inspiring what they're doing to help Marriages and Families!