I once worked with a group of individuals who lived the Latin phrase Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno, all for one, one for all. The experience took an idealistic idea and replaced it with a longing to repeat the experience with each and every group I have worked with since. While several came close, none have matched the extraordinary commitment to each other, our shared ambitions for the business, and our fondness for the empowering leadership example at the time.
In a conversation with a senior executive years later, he described his style as a submarine. Subtle, quiet, below the radar…and always deadly! I wondered how anyone could trust him. Given his follow-up actions to our conversation, there were reasons to be cautious.
As I reflect on the working environments I am a part of now, there are examples on both ends of the spectrum. With one group, you can see the emergence of trust and confidence. There are few political moves, even fewer actions that one might consider negative. With the others, there are games at every turn. It is hard to consistently understand or anticipate the agendas at play. Actions with clear intent are mixed with others that at, at best, confusing. Is anyone a willing and honorable collaborator? If so, how would you know?
Are yesterday’s telltales today’s story line?
Reminders that I find myself carrying with me include the following.
Actions always tell a story. One should look for story behind and beyond the story in front of you. The question is one of understanding. When I hear that “He turned all their water to blood so that all their fish died,” (Psalm 105.29) am I willing to see, hear, and understand the story within the story?
Giving others the benefit of the doubt is as or more important for ourselves as it is for others. When we look with compassion towards others, we have taken the first step in accepting ourselves with compassion.
We are family. No matter what another does or does not do, we are family.
