A SIDE NOTE ON PERSPECTIVES

“The world”, Achebe said in Arrow of God, “is like a mask dancing. If you want to see it well you don’t stand in one place”. Drawn from a deep understanding of Igbo philosophy, this quote helps us realize that perspectives are only complete when done holistically. Otherwise, what we end up doing is seeing only one side of the coin of life. Read a post on LinkedIn this morning and it just confirmed why it might be best to really step back and examine a situation properly—and, by that, I mean from several, if not all possible, lenses—before we take action. Read, enjoy, and contribute your own perspective to the issue. I have included a hyperlink to their profiles here and a link to the original post where you could get to read more perspectives on the issue.

Brigette Hyacinth

Friday, I am having a meeting with a government official. His secretary brings the wrong document and he immediately starts to scold her.

I am trying to stay silent but I couldn’t. I left him know that is not the way to treat employees. He then said our meeting is over. When I reached outside, the secretary said she was sorry I didn't get the contract but thanked me for standing up for her. I asked her why she stays and deals with this.

She said, “My income is the only one in the family. I just can’t leave, I am a single parent and I have to take care of my sick mom.” I told her she needed to believe in herself and keep applying elsewhere.

I see so many 'Influencers' on LinkedIn telling people, if they don’t like their jobs to leave it. In the real world, that is irresponsible when you have commitments. If you don't like your job, work on an exit strategy.

Mayank Pincha 

Brigette Hyacinth I respect your choice to stand up for the employee and call it quits.... I was like that at some point in time... so I totally agree with where you come from and what you stand for....

But if you want to go to the next level.... (which I am sure you want to)

Don't you think that as a leadership and management expert.. this behaviour of the government officer.. showed that there was opportunity for your services... and how many lives could get better right from the government officer to his secretary... if you hung around..?

Just if you could resist 'starting the delivery of your service' before the contract was signed...May be you could be making a difference to so many lives in that office...!

You saw the plight of the secretary because she got scolded at... can you 'rise' to see the plight of the government officer too... who could have a better approach to deal with all his juniors.. and how suffocated he must be... for him to have to deal with his team like that...do you think he is loving his job ? Don't you think both are your potential clients? The aggressor and the 'aggressee' ... aren't both of them facing the same situation of not loving their jobs...? :)

Food for thought…

The point is:

Reality can be so complex that equally valid positions could appear to be contradictory.

This is the point I always try to help my students understand when teaching them how to address issues in critical writing.

Read the original post here.