Being positive does not mean blind ambition

Posted: February 22, 2012 | Categories: Leadership, Team Building

My mother lives in an assisted living complex near Kansas City.  When Mom was preparing to move in January, 2009, my siblings and I will never forget what she was most excited about:  Her apartment was the only one in the complex with one of those fancy “walk-in” bathtubs.  We thought, “Won’t that be nice when she doesn’t have to step over the rail?”

Mom has now lived in her apartment or over three years.  She has used the walk-in tub once.  Here’s why:

In our excitement about the design of the tub, we didn’t think things through.  When she used the tub, she quickly discovered it wasn’t so great.  You see, the door to the walk-in tub can only be used when the tub is empty.  Otherwise, there would be a flood!  That means Mom must sit there shivering while the tub fills up, and also when the tub is draining.  That is not pleasant.

But let’s back up to when we were all excited about the tub:  What if someone would have said, “What if”, or “That may look nice, but you know…”  Most of us do not like to be perceived as a naysayer or someone who “throws a wet blanket” on an exciting idea.

By nature, I am a positive, creative person and here is what I’ve learned:  There are always people like my wife who are “scenario thinkers”.  Instinctively, they are critical thinkers and they will take our cherished  innovative idea and riddle it with “what if’s” and “Have you thought about the repercussions of…”  In most cases, these folks are not being negative.  They are gifted with sharp analytical skills and they want to be a positive contribution to the team.  Too often, they get the curmudgeon bad rap.  Here is my message:

When you introduce a new idea, and someone is critiquing it, quiet your mind, suspend judgment, and listen to understand.  If we can do this, we will save a bunch of “I told you so’s” and probably a lot of money.