“I shouldn’t have to do that, it’s not my job.”
“My co-workers or manager don’t respect or appreciate me enough.”
“There isn’t enough time to get it all done.”
Sound familiar? Probably. However, the facts are what they are. Maybe it’s not in your job description, maybe your boss could be more appreciative, or perhaps there isn’t enough time to get it all done. Challenging the facts of situations like these is something that we’ve all been guilty of. The problem is that arguing against these facts is a battle we are sure to lose.
So why continue this losing battle? When we argue with the facts we’re wasting valuable time and energy. That’s why I’m challenging all leaders to think differently. Together, we can end this argument once and for all and use our time and talents for good, not evil – all while encouraging the same within our teams. Here’s how this can be accomplished:
- Be a lover of reality—Conserve energy that was used in the past to fight the situation and, instead, accept what is and use that energy to innovate and problem-solve.
- Avoid a defensive mindset—Defense is the first act of war. If you find yourself getting defensive, find a place of neutrality and move forward despite the circumstances.
- Work to be happy, not right—Resist the “I’m right” or “I know it all” mindset, as this can lead to a righteous attitude. Even if the other person is wrong, you forfeit your right to the higher ground as soon as you point this out. Most of us want to be happy, but we argue to be right.
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