Beware the Axis of Evil
You have a choice for how you approach conflict in your organization and in your life. In particular, you have some flexibility in how you interpret the behavior of the person you disagree with. In the following video, I talk a little bit about three of the ways in which you can explain the behavior of other people, and argue that one of the ways — seeing others as mistaken and your response as an effort to help them — is by far the most effective path.
As I mention in the video, the key is to assume positive intent. Assume that whatever the person is doing, they are doing because they think its the right thing to do. This may or may not be the case, but in assuming so, you will be more effective in dealing with them and the conflict.
Tags: Leadership Skills, Videos
Reader Comments
This contradicts years of training in, and the precise application of, Hanlon’s razor: “Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.” Good to see a third option that’s not so harsh.
Recognizing and assuming postive intent is also important to take the emotion out of the discussion, emotion being one of the biggest source of stress.