Too often, members of a team form an opinion (then perpetuated as “fact”) based on only a small understanding of the bigger picture.
It’s critical that we take the time to understand the full picture, especially when we find ourselves disagreeing with the proposed course of action.
Resistance and disagreement are often a cue to turn inward and consider whether we understand the bigger picture and as many of the details within it as possible. It’s a time for us to ask questions, seek first to understand where other decision makers see things differently and why, re-focus on the mission and vision, and ensure that everyone is coming from the same starting point.
Once we’re sure those high-level details are clear, only then should we begin to discuss and debate the course of action.
Our world pushes us to “keyboard warrior” behavior, where we jump to conclusions and go on the attack before the full picture is clear (or even finished unfolding). Resist that urge.
Get the big picture, get the details, then begin to draw conclusions and act. This saves a lot of unnecessary drama, frustration, arguments, and extra work to calm people down.
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