I found a lot worth taking away from this essay by Harvard Business Review blogger Teresa Norton.
It’s about forgiveness.
Specifically, how forgiving co-workers, or anybody really, can make us more important to ourselves and others in our sphere of influence.
Ms. Norton states that confusion about workplace status is at the root of many issues. And related to that, people create their own status through self-inflicted wounds to their self-worth. Compelling stuff. And very closely related to Market Force.
Pecking orders become common in team environments as each Style works to his or her strength to carve out a role in a project.
As Norton states, problems often arise when an individual allows someone else to define their self-worth through rudeness or unreasonable, haughty demands, initiating confidence concerns and encouraging them to minimize their contribution. Many of us, at varying stages of our careers, have been in this situation. But through forgiveness, the table can be turned.
Instead of internalizing the frustration and angst created by your team member’s demands, the ability to quickly forgive them for their actions can help you re-establish your self-worth and communicate confidence. In doing so, you also build Market Force, as the odds are good that others are aware of this individual’s actions. In short, the high road will get you there much faster.
