THE END WORD
Posted by Tony Zeglen
on Dec 10, 2013
New ideas. Change. Democratic decision-making. Transparency. Accountability. Free exchange of opinions. Respect differing views. Standing up for what is right. Equality of persons. Integrity.
These are concepts that I hold dear; concepts that I have tried to live by in my professional and personal life.
When I or anyone else sticks their neck out and shares an idea, half-baked or fully developed, it is best for all concerned if that suggestion is met with the spirit embedded in those concepts. After all no one has a monopoly on good ideas. It is best if the recipients of this message follow Stephen Covey's first principle of being a highly effective person: seek first to understand. After that, respondents can best participate in a meaningful discussion that leads to dropping the proposal under discussion, changing it in some positive way, or adopting it whole. A most important result of this process in that people bond and the group grows.
If the proponent of this new thought meets with uninformed criticism, especially if one feels personally attacked for even making the suggestion in the first place, that person and all who learn of the exchange are sent one clear message: don't make any new suggestions. If that occurs, interpersonal relationships begin to weaken, the group begins to stagnate, and members drift away to more receptive environments.
Personally, I have experienced both these ways of doing things in our Club during the last two years, and I much prefer that we all follow the former, which is far healthier, not the latter, which is not good for newer or more senior members.
This is my opinion and if you'd like to tell me what you think, please do so here.