One Sherpa

Have you ever had a disagreement with a work colleague or family member?

How has that left you?

If you’re like me this can leave you feeling misunderstood, frustrated, confused, and wondering what went wrong and how to ‘get things back on track.’

At the heart of this problem is the way we behave as people. Without realizing it, we often expect behaviour from other people to be the same as us and when it doesn’t happen we’re left wondering!

When talking about behaviour I believe it refers to the way a person most naturally operates or acts.

For example, some people are naturally motivated to be very organized and precise, and some are more spontaneous and casual.

Likewise, some are risk takers and others are naturally conservative.

Each of us have a unique Business DNA profile which drives our behaviour but it is easy to think that some are better than others for making life or business decisions.

In reality this is not the case. All profiles and styles are equally valid, and all are needed. All styles and all people have strengths and struggles which when blended together can come up with better outcomes.

The key point to remember is that people can be the most successful when they understand and maximize the positive aspects of their own natural and unique styles, and operate in an environment which will enhance their natural talents, and balance their areas of struggle.

So when you had that disagreement, was the other person actually struggling? Were they doing everything they could to avoid confrontation when you were simply trying to get something done?

If this was the case then they may have been trying to defend themselves and you saw that as avoiding the issue.

So what do you do when this happens?

Ask yourself whether the other person may be wired differently to you. What might they be struggling with and therefore how can you change your behaviour to accommodate those struggles.

Honouring the differences in people will always lead you to less confrontation and misunderstanding.

How unique do you think you really are?

When I ask business owners this question they often tell me that they’re different but fail to show this in their behaviour.

They have not progressed in their thinking and therefore fail to reap the best out of their behaviour and the people who work with them.

Understanding the unique talents of people is fundamental to maximizing the enjoyment and value of running a business.

It seems to me that there are four different levels of thinking which drive how people respond to situations in their life and affect how they run their businesses.

FIRST LEVEL – this is where people believe that most people in the world are basically the same. Yes, there are small differences but men are basically men and women are basically women. At this first level these people spend a lot of time waiting for other people to grow up so that they can think ‘Just like me!’

SECOND LEVEL – People at this level believe there are a few people in the world that are a bit different. You know the quirky ones that don’t fit in with the crowd. These misfits are a relatively minor part of the community but most ‘normal’ people are basically the same and in time will think ‘Just like me!’

THIRD LEVEL – People at this level come to the realization that there are more people in the world who are different than the same. They begin to spot the differences and applaud them rather than waiting for people to change to be ‘Just like me!’

FOURTH LEVEL – People at this level finally work out that there is no one in the world that is ‘Just like me!’ They realise they are completely unique and therefore begin to appreciate and value the differences in other people. As a result they are able to honour those differences and have far more depth to their life and relationships. This allows them to leverage themselves by using the unique talents of the people around them

How do you feel about this?

What level of thinking do you think you’re operating at?