An argument can mean nothing. Or it can be the end of a relationship.
But one way or the other, be the first one to say I am sorry. Because that’s the only possible gateway to whatever comes next. Because that gives both the parties the chance to save their face. Because, most likely, that’s exactly how you feel.
Sorry.
A 3-step way to establish a new, healthy professional relationship.
Start with “here’s what we are dealing with”. Be thorough and fully honest. Unearth everything and establish authority by showing that you are not afraid to face facts.
Continue with “here’s what we are going to do about it”. Think in incremental steps rather than big reveals. Be detailed, put everything on a calendar, and use some system to assign responsibility.
Finish with “here’s what can go wrong”. No idea, plan, or project is flawless. And you know that many things can and will go wrong. Just put them out there, be on top of it.
If you want to change something you deeply care about, you ought to be able to love what’s good in it.
The bad is going to kill your motivation before it gets better, so it’s important to reinforce the reason why you are in it.
Many things that matter are not easy. Even in the day-to-day.
Making time to help someone is not easy.
Speaking up when you witness racist or sexist behaviour is not easy.
Choosing not to scream every time your kids get on your nerves is not easy.
Sitting down with somebody to express your discomfort is not easy.
The point is that if you always seek the easy, if you try to find shortcuts in most situations, if your first thought is about how you can save some time, some money, some energy, it’s very likely you will often end up doing the wrong thing.
Nobody likes the version of themselves that does the wrong thing more often than the right one.
Find that person who is always supporting, who cheers for you no matter what, who wants your success more than their own, who is critical with kindness, whom you genuinely enjoy talking to.
And once you have found them, do not fear asking for their help.
There’s no need to be alone in your journey.
You've got this 