One of the benefits of travel is that it exposes what we take for granted.
I’ve just returned from a trip to Israel.
It was wonderful, fun, eye-opening and challenging.
We toured ancient ruins and towns with an archaeologist. His observations and evidence caused me to reconsider some of my thinking and understanding of history, religion and geopolitics.
There were even trivial examples where I noticed what I noticed – and what I didn’t! For example, we stayed at a Christian guesthouse with my Jewish friend. She commented on the prevalence of crosses in her bedroom. I assumed that she was staying in a different type of room from me, as I hadn’t noticed any. After dinner I made a point of observing my room more closely. And indeed there were crosses in the bedrooms, foyer and dining hall. However, having been brought up as a Christian I was blind to them or related to them differently from my friend.
As a leader or entrepreneur you will be engaging with many different stakeholders who have different lived experiences, ways of communicating, working styles and ways of making sense of the business world.
In our book, Humble Crumbles: Savouring the crumbs of wisdom from the rise and fall of Humble Pie, Paul O’Donnell and I explore such differences and how they can enhance or hinder working relationships.
We caution against treating others as you want to be treated. The intention of this maxim is positive. Yet it may create tensions and offence, feelings of disrespect or being excluded if your stakeholders are different from you.
Do you treat others as you want to be treated?
How have you had to adapt to be more inclusive, creative and collaborative?
If you would like to explore how to expand your opportunities through shifting who you are as an observer contact sylvana@sylvanacaloni.com or +44 (0) 7952068133.
