You have heard the phrase before, “pick your battles wisely” and it is just as true in the workplace.  You probably know employees who think their opinion is the only one that counts and fight tooth and nail to get everyone to go their way.  This employee is doomed to fail and will rarely succeed.   The issue is that a workplace is full of diverse people with varying backgrounds, skill and experiences. We all bring with us a different paradigm from which we view the world.   That’s what is so great about a workplace community — our differences.  Learning how to respect and value those differences and learning the art of compromise is what separates great employees from others.  Your colleagues want to work with someone who they feel will listen to others; take the time to ask questions and understand before they press hard on their own opinion.  They don’t want to work with someone who always questions, pushes back and perhaps unintentionally undermines the cohesiveness of the team with their myopic views.

I have coached a number of executives who literally only operate from the perspective “it’s my way or the highway” and that approach fails many times over.  Employees need to really evaluate the situation and determine whether the issue is worthy of the battle.  There are several factors to consider:

1.        What are the risks of losing the battle?

2.       What are the risks of winning the battle?

3.       What are the unintended consequences of fighting the battle? Distractions, productivity etc.

4.       What is the workplace brand you are creating for yourself? Is it positive or negative?

5.       Have you chosen wisely? And if you are not sure, take the time to ask around and get feedback.

Nobody wants a “yes person” and no one needs a battle fighter either, but companies do want and value employees who take the time to inquire, analyze and state their opinions.  Just know when to give and when to fight.

Happy August!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genevieve Roberts, Partner at Titan Group LLC