Learning That It’s NOT My Way or the Highway
It’s funny what a little age and life experience will teach you. The good news is that I have a bit of both. The bad news is I’m not always the best student! But if I am willing, there are so many valuable lessons to learn about what is the most important when it comes to accomplishing big ideas.
If you know much about me, you know that I am completely and wholly in love with results. I love everything about being efficient, doing things well, and expecting a lot of myself. I’m even so efficient that I am completely aware of my efficiency and I take great pride in how efficient I am. I want to complete something in the best way possible without sacrificing quality (too much) and in a way that I may even get noticed by a few (pride). I’m usually pretty confident in my plan for completing a task that I sometimes get myself into a frame of mind that thinks I know best and that the ideas of others may just be a little bit inferior to my “grand plan”.
But here’s what I am learning. I’m beginning to notice how others respond to my “grand plan”. Some are brave enough to throw in a slightly different path to the goal than what I have envisioned. Depending on my reaction, one of two things may happen. They will continue to give great feedback and ideas OR they will shut down and let me plow through the original “grand plan”.
Which is better? Which is more efficient? (Remember I’m in love with efficiency.) What path will get the best result? Should I push my ideas through in the name of efficiency or slow down to listen to the ideas of others. I think I know, but I’m still learning. Here are the top 3 lessons I’m learning about my big ideas.
My ideas may be good, but there is always a way to make them better.
And I won’t always know how to do that. I have to rely on other people to help me bring good ideas to the best ideas.
Speed and efficiency are not the priority when interacting with people.
In fact, they can be relationship killers. The essence of building relationships is time spent together. If I am going to benefit from the ideas of others, I have to slow down and really listen to what is being said. With an open mind and heart. In fact, good ideas are frequently steeped in a bit of time in order to become the best ideas.
I have to lay down my pride when it comes to who gets the credit for a good outcome.
It is difficult to not crave the glory that comes when something succeeds. In fact, if I’m honest, it may be that credit that motivates me to act in the first place.
I’m happy to say that I am starting to listen to those around me and pick up on some ways I can be a better idea generator and accomplisher. But there is room for improvement. One of my favorite quotes goes like this. Be humble. You could be wrong. Ouch! I should wear that in front of my eyes at all time. It’s very hard to remember, but oh so important.
So what about you? Do you have any pointers for me? How do you balance your need to accomplish big things with the importance of including others in your plans for success? I’m all ears!
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, remembering that as members of the same body you are called to live in harmony, and never forget to be thankful for what God has done for you.
Colossians 3:15