Blog: Takes both sides to build a bridge

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By Mike Wilson

Recently, the topics of ‘stay in place’ vs. ‘getting back to normal' have been presented by the media in a very WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) kind of style. Although grabbing our attention, the emotional kindling vanishes quickly and both sides are back to throwing various forms of ‘folding chairs’ at each other. 

If one is objective, it is clear that both positions can be backed up with facts - facts worth looking at, learning about and deeply considering. 

To move ahead, we all need to take a step back and allow time to consider the ideas, thoughts and opinions of others. No one has all answers. How could they? Hearing is easy, but listening seems to be the challenge. Many have heard me talk about the importance of collaboration. I have spoken openly and honestly, in many different forums about the true value collaboration brings to any challenging situation, personal or professional. The following is an extract from one of those forums.

So what does it mean to collaborate? From a practical perspective, collaboration requires several basic characteristics from those involved:

  • Take the time to be informed: only then can you have an active and enthusiastic engagement on the issue.

  • Have a mutual respect between participants: each person doing a job, regardless of the scope, has an intrinsic dignity and offering that adds to the positive outcome of any enterprise.

  • Be open-minded:  be sincerely interested and respectful of the other’s opinion.

  • Be a good listener: not just hearing the words of another but listening and taking in what they are saying.

  • Seek out those who may know more than you on the subject, those who are considered true experts.

  • Collaboration, like most human endeavors works best with good leadership. Leadership in this sense first and foremost requires humility, but also confidence, passion, optimism, vision, and of course, a good deal of resilience.

Over the years, I have found solutions come when one not only hears, but honestly listens to what others have to say. The truth is that the solutions to most problems we face already exist waiting for us to discover them through hard work and honest and respectful dialogue. We need to have the patience, insight and fortitude to draw the best out of one-another.

 We will be on the other side of this crisis before you know it.

 

Barbara Yeninas