"If you can't win by reason,
go for volume."
-- Bill Watterson
The process of change is not as full of reason as we might like it to be. It is often full of righteous indignation, superior attitudes, and just plain ego and stress. The best way to deal with it then and not only survive, but thrive, is to do as they do in Judo and let the momentum of their actions fuel their realizations.
Let's say you're a manager in an organization and that you have a certain level-headed philosophy that is not only successful but healthy for all involved. Now, let's say that the upper management is used to doing things a certain way, and your way is not that way. This conflict can grind the whole thing to a stop, or if not that severe, create a great deal of frustration on all sides.
I just rented the movie Hoosiers again because it is such a great movie and this was the case with the new coach. The town menfolk gathered to tell the coach how they've always done it and wanted to make sure that he knew how it should be done, but he was having none of it. He made his own choices and almost lost the position as a result, but at the same time, he won the championship with the same exact decision and commitment.
To me, what this says is that it is best to be ourselves. However, in being ourselves, standing firm with our own philosophy, we have to remember that we are not alone. We need not bow to others, but it is to our mutual benefit that we take them into consideration, and see if we can develop as much cooperation as possible.
I've been in several of these scenarios and found that I could have my way as long as I could demonstrate that it worked. Of course, I knew it did and I got very creative about demonstrating how it worked and in what ways it was beneficial. Without this cooperative attitude, I would have never been able to succeed as I did.
It's not about the right way and the wrong way. That is so old-school. It's a lame argument. And, it has nothing to do with cooperation. It is the opposite of that.
Here are the best things I have found to do in these kinds of tumultuous situations. Focus on you and what you are doing and forget about what they are doing. Again, it isn't about who is right and who is wrong, there are too many ways for a thing to get done to deal with that. Stop thinking about what they are doing or not doing and just perform yourself or with your team. Next, find ways to demonstrate that performance in written ways that the other parties understand. Show them on paper and in reality. Keep good records.
As with the basketball team in the movie, winning games changed the support structure and attitude. It applies here too. Be the best you can be. Create the best team you can create. Don't spend any attention on what other people are doing or not doing or whether you get enough support or not. Do it anyway. Do it well. Do it like you were meant to do it.
Shine! Have Fun! Focus On What Feels Good Not What Feels Crappy.
Spread Some Joy Today--Let them see the shine in your eyes. Don't let others foul your own joy. Your spirit is yours.
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