DIFFERENT BUT NOT WRONG!



“As you advance in your career, it becomes difficult to see how someone could hold a totally different opinion from yours and still be correct” gently whispered Si Thu Thein, the mild mannered Research Director at PSI Myanmar during our one on one coaching session last week.

I knew instinctively that I was hearing something deep. I asked him to clarify.

Si Thu spoke about the workshop with the senior leadership team of his organization the previous day.  He was surprised by his own awareness  - that while his colleagues had different opinions from his, they were not wrong….and that he and they could both still be right while having different interpretations.

Si Thu went on to further explain that one’s views tend to become more rigid over time and it becomes harder to even consider a perspective that is different from ours.  As we become more senior at work, judgment, more often than not, triumphs over openness and possibility.

And in that awareness that Si Thu shared, I felt something shift within me. WOW, this was indeed a key insight for successful leadership and teamwork – empathy and flexibility! A wonderful and powerful reminder from a wise young man.


(* Si Thu approved the use of his name for this piece)

Comments

  1. BevAugust 22, 2017 at 10:29 PM

    What profound advice!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownAugust 22, 2017 at 10:40 PM

    Diversity is what is advocated both at workplace and in the board rooms. Bringing in members from different backgrounds, cultures, sex, color bring in the richness to work. How fast we realize and appreciate this lies within us. Most of us are used to listening to others who propagate what we want to hear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sanjay Rao Chaganti - HAPPINESS CATALYSTAugust 22, 2017 at 11:57 PM

      Love the line..."Most of us are used to listening to others who propagate what we want to hear" I plead GUILTY!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024

Image
  The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024 Feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Sometimes, taking a step back to rekindle play and patience can be transformative. Over the past week, I attended a program called “A Primer on Patience” at the Deer Park Institute in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India. This program, based on Buddhist psychology, offered a ‘light-touch’ approach to imparting deep-rooted wisdom in an interactive and enjoyable manner accessible to everyone. I had previously studied under the lead trainer, Nivedita, and her down-to-earth and practical style of imparting wisdom resonated deeply with me. More importantly, Nivedita embodies humility and warmth, making the experience even more enriching. Here are five key insights and takeaways from my time there: 1. I Felt Free and Energized! I had forgotten how much I love sharing space with like-minded individuals in a fun learning and authentic sharing environment. We learned, we shared, we drew, we laughed, and...
Read more

We Are All on 'Standby'....

Image
We Are All On 'Standby'.... In the past few days, three poignant experiences wove themselves into a single narrative that felt too significant not to share. The first is something we all experience this time of year: the turning of the calendar . One year ends, and another begins. It’s a natural time to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s ahead. The second was attending a memorial service for a young man who tragically passed away. It was a moving tribute, but also a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. As I sat there, a friend shared about their elderly parent, deeply suffering, and said, “I wish they would find peace and move on.” The contrast was striking: here was a young man, full of life and promise, gone too soon, while another life lingered on amidst suffering. The third came from my own home. My daughter is preparing to leave for the U.S. on a standby ticket, arranged through her cousin. When people asked, “When are you leaving?” she replied, “Maybe today,” be...
Read more

"I have no intention of dying before my death" - Lessons from a Centurion

Image
  Living Fully and Leading with Intention "I have no intention of dying before my death." This powerful declaration set the tone for an inspiring morning, offering valuable insights for today’s leaders. We gathered in a sunlit, glass-enclosed room—a perfect setting for a Sunday filled with meaningful conversations and deep reflections. The atmosphere was warm, the coffee was perfect, but the true highlight of the morning was a discussion with a centenarian who had recently celebrated his 100th birthday. For the next hour, we were guided through a fascinating conversation about life lessons and their relevance in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world. This centenarian’s wisdom was profound, and as leaders, we were reminded that leadership is as much about character and wisdom as it is about strategy and execution. Here are some key lessons that stood out, offering valuable guidance for leaders at every stage: "I have no intention of dying before my death." This sta...
Read more