Subscribe to the 2W2aB feedI have been in Port Townsend all week – attending my residency for my MFA program (this is #3 out of 4 residencies, over half way there!). Although my purpose here is not to be a business consultant or coach, I am finding it difficult to turn off that side of my brain.
Like in any organization, there are politics, cliques, and show-offs. Politics surface, bubble and boil when people fail to turn down their need to control and look good. Think about it – that’s why things get political. Show me a dialogue with the words, “ought,” “should,” and “I,” coming from both sides and I will show you politics.
There are a lot of emotions swirling about here this week. Some people are sensitive about their own needs and others feel the need to represent other students (vicarious control). I find this funny and then it becomes tiring because everyone is an adult and can take care of themselves.
At the root of a lot of these emotionally charged conversations is meaning. If someone gets to read their work and another person does not, we assign meaning to the selection. If a faculty member offers a suggestion to one writer and not to another, we attach meaning to being the focus or not the focus. If no one sits at our breakfast table, we create a story about what this might mean. We often assume people are thinking and feeling thoughts and beliefs that they are not.
I think it is useful to notice the meaning we have assigned to daily events and actions. Often the meaning does not fit the situation and is a source of unnecessary stress, feelings of low esteem, and politics.
This is a long post that essentially says, "chill out and don't worry so much."
Individual and team drama destructs and destroys excellence (Not passion, drama, there is a difference. I love passion).
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