Embrace the Gray Area
Intense polarization requires empathetic, creative conscious leadership
Over the weekend as I was preparing fish tacos for dinner, I listened to an episode of my favorite podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience. In this particular episode, Joe was talking with Evan Hafer, owner of Black Rifle Coffee Company.
The two started discussing the intense polarization occurring in the world right now and how both feel like they don’t belong to a political party or particular tribe because everything has become so black and white.
Joe observed that he and many other people in the United States and beyond aren’t hard partisans, but centrists whose beliefs are more empathetic and nuanced. We’re told that you’re either pro or anti, with or against. But in reality, most people’s beliefs aren’t black and white. They don’t check a nice clean box, nor do they subscribe to every tenet of a religion, political party, or life philosophy.
In other words, most people are unique in how they view the world. But we often feel forced to pick a side because only two sides are presented as the viable options. Or we’re led to believe that anyone with a differing opinion is an enemy or obstacle.
Unfortunately, leaders find themselves in the middle of the black-and-white polarization dominating the culture right now. They feel like they have to pick a side and then apply that to their entire organization. But conscious leaders wisely understand that there are few things in life that are ever truly black and white.
Conscious leadership calls us to rise above polarized thinking and view things from a much higher perspective. In a polarized framework, someone has to lose so that another can win. Someone has to be wrong so that another can be right. This kind of thinking doesn’t truly serve anyone when we live in a world that actually allows for nuance and diversity. There’s a big gray area we can creatively play in and find workable solutions for all.
Companies usually will decide on an employee policy and then apply it without exception to all staff. For example, working remotely. Either you do or you don’t. But as we’ve learned in the last year, some people thrive remotely, while others thrive on face-to-face interaction. So why not find a solution that works for each individual?
Yes, blanket policies save time and money, but usually only a portion of the team are genuinely happy with the results. Being flexible in your policies and seeking the best outcomes for all requires deeper work.
The question becomes, how willing are you to do that deep work and create a culture that brings out the best in each person?
During this time of divisive polarization, conscious leaders can set an example of genuine empathy that bridges differing opinions. We can demonstrate how to appreciate different perspectives. A truly civil workplace and society embraces the gray area and doesn’t view others as opposition. The world needs brave conscious leaders who can rise above the black-and-white polarization.
Work happy. Live happy. BE happy.
Meredith
The way we work and build teams is rapidly changing. Leaders often feel unprepared to navigate the transition. As a conscious leadership coach, consultant and communicator, Meredith helps leaders and their teams create new ways of working and relating so they can prepare for the future by consciously co-creating it.
Contact her to develop your conscious leadership and transform your organization into the workplace of the future.
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