Evaluating Differences Helps Future Navigation
Do you spend too much time evaluating differences, or is it really that you don’t spend enough time evaluating them?
When you focus on things that you have in common with each other you can help create buy-in and gain mutual respect. What is more common though, is to focus on differences.
Both Commonalities and Differences
Commonalities are powerful. Differences however are an invitation to learn how to engage and promote new patterns of interaction.
When you recognize something that is not normal for you as an opportunity, it changes the course of future directions.
Many people are convinced that things will only happen in one particular way or by following one example. The same is true when you insist on replicating only one pattern. A system of sorts, but a system that limits new patterns rather than offering innovation and expansion.
When there is a breakdown in any of those approaches all future work stops. Plans are stalled, put on hold, or determined as not valid. It seems like the game is over, yet it may mean that there is a new opportunity.
The movement might be different but the goal is still achievable.
It is like cousin Eddie dancing at the wedding. He can feel the rhythm but his body moves ugly. The key is, he is still dancing!
Evaluating Differences
When you believe that more investigation about differences can create new breakthroughs the game has been upped. The advantage goes to the home team. Those breaking new ground by sharing both old and new perspectives expand, they don’t retract.
This is what progressive organizations are doing. The ones on the move. Those breaking new ground, and overcoming adversity.
If you’re winning, chances are good you’re doing it too.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
