Different ≠ Wrong
Wrong = Not correct
Different ≠ Wrong.
We encounter this challenge every single day in our workplaces.
Yes, there are aspects of all jobs that need to be done accurately and correctly, whether in outcomes or process.
There’s a whole lot, though, that doesn’t matter.
A huge benefit to be gained from working within a team arises from the differences in how we work.
Yet much of the tension I see within teams often flares up over individual preferences over the things that truly don’t matter. Things such as time-blocking certain tasks or doing them as you go; using a keyboard shortcut instead of a menu; or eating the frog vs cake for breakfast can have people side-tracked and in conflict more often than you believe.
When we see these tensions arise, it’s useful to ask ourselves what is wrong, and what is different?
I wonder, what might we learn from different?