Why Can’t We Just Get Along
Is it that the Iraq War has made Europeans dislike North Americans, or is it that North Americans feel that they only have the right answers? I am not quite sure, and recently I have been involved in a Battle Royale. I am talking about a large software company where both sides have acted like school children on the playground. In this corner, North American sales team. And in this corner the Rest of World sales team. Let’s come out fighting fair.
But they aren’t fighting fair. Both teams have lied, cheated, and stolen opportunities from the other. Can this go on? What is the cause? Is it just about the wallet or is it about power? Is it that the compensation model is broken, or is that there is a lack of leadership or not enough negative consequences to change behavior?
The history between senior executives is literally hostile, and brokering an agreement can’t currently be done with both of them in the room. Getting to the VP’s and Directors has been difficult because of time constraints and the pressure being put on each team at the top.
Being the facilitator is exciting because our rule is simple - brutal, and I mean brutal honesty!! Defining the rules of engagement will take hard work and deep understanding of emotional intelligence and defining the social complexity and mastering collaborative communication (if it even exists).
We have now had two meetings where no punches have been thrown and we discussed the social complexity that exists and the organizational constraints that limit collaborative interaction. Getting everyone to talk about the obstacles is progress.
I would be very interested in hearing what others have done in similar situations.