In Belligerence We Trust

When did stubbornness become a virtue and cooperation become a sign of weakness? As I write this, Americans are going to the poles not to elect their favored candidates but rather to keep “those other scumbags” from gaining (or maintaining) control. Lack of communication is not only killing our businesses, it’s bringing about the death of our culture.

I had an enthusiastic conversation last week with a very astute fellow named Max. His job consists of going into corporations on the very edge of financial ruin and rescuing them from calamity. I imagine that’s not too different from the police officer answering a domestic disturbance call. That cop’s primary hope for success (and maybe even survival) is the ability to quell emotion and facilitate rational compromise. So too is my friend’s vocation.

Honestly, there should never be a need for my friend’s services, but his business is booming. Why? Admittedly, on rare occasions, corporate entities simply fail to see the approaching expiration of their product’s relevance – Kodak was one of those companies. Far more common than obsolete products, however, are obsolete attitudes.

Within most faltering companies, the delta between the C-suite’s vision for the company and the average worker’s personal goals represents a gaping chasm. Additionally, many organizations foster atmospheres where even upper management fears telling the CEO what he or she needs to hear. Why? When did we replace honest communication with managerial edicts like, “Just do what you’re being paid to do.” and, “Don’t question my judgement.”? How can we even hope to all row in the same direction without open, honest, respectful communication?

But enough about corporations. What about all those angry voters? What is it about our society that demands emotion-based head-butting instead of rational negotiation? Without question, it was Western Civilization that brought an end to institutionalized slavery, one of the greatest atrocities in human history. The Romans had no desire to do so. The Egyptians needed army of enslaved workers to construct those amazing pyramids. Only Western civilization confronted the barbarity. But consider the difference in how diverse societies within Western civilization brought about colossal change.

Between 1861 and 1865, over 600,000 Americans killed each other, settling the dispute about slavery in North America. On the other side of the Atlantic, slavery had long since been abolished without a single shot being fired. One man, William Wilberforce, spent his entire lifetime persuading his fellow countrymen, through rational conversation and debate, that every human being is made in the image of the Creator and, as such, is intrinsically valuable. And make no mistake, if Wilberforce was wrong, then “might makes right” and morality is only the preference du jour of the ruling herd.

Wouldn’t it be great if we reverted to having honest, rational conversations, devoid of the emotional rancor that inevitably leads to failed corporations, societal upheaval and ultimately to bloodshed?

Perhaps you see something here that you take issue with. That’s great! Email me so we can get together and talk. We may not end up in agreement but at least we will each broaden our perspective. As always, I’ll buy the coffee

Transparency

— Warren Bennis, Daniel Goldman, James O’Toole

The Boys in the Boat

— Daniel James Brown