We spend a lot of time trying to change others, molding the world to work the way we want it to, and expressing frustration when things don’t go our way or people don’t follow our advice.
What if, instead, we do our part, let things play out as they will, and respond or move on appropriately?
Many of us (definitely me) are control freaks. We want every outcome to be just so, and we try to guide people and teams to do things exactly as we think they should. But people and outcomes are completely independent. Sure, we can bark orders and demand behaviors, but we only get compliance, if that!
A better approach is to offer advice, to encourage people to consider alternative angles and solutions. But our responsibility ends there.
“But, that often leads to messes that I then have to clean up!”
Yes, and that’s where being cool, calm, and responsive (rather than reactive) allows you to handle outcomes as they are. Expecting the unexpected somehow better equips us to deal with it.
Do your part. Make your suggestions and contributions. But don’t expect other people and the world to always comply with your views. This will save a lot of frustration.
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