Have you ever reflected on the contrasting perspectives held by different departments within your organisation?

It is easy to see where there are obvious entrenched perspectives outside of our sphere but we are often blind to the fixed, and perhaps misconceived, positions we hold ourselves.

Check out my latest Yorkshire Times Article.

http://yorkshiretimes.co.uk//article/Mind-The-Gap

What is it about entrenched positions - perspectives about a situation, a person, a group of people, an organisation that tick a box for us?  

We gather an opinion perhaps immediately, possibly over time, and it helps us to order our worlds.  "That individual never listens", "that department are so out of touch with the 'real world' ", "senior managers have no idea what it is like for us", "be careful what you tell sales".

These perspectives, and the grapevine that ensues around them, affect the internal dynamics of organisations.  They cause, amongst others, blockages in information flow, distrust, one-upmanship and a taking of sides.

There are always multiple issues at play, however; multiple reasons why a department or individual behaves in a certain way.  With the investment of time, it is useful to unpack these dynamics.  It is possible to mediate between individuals, teams and departments, helping them understand each others' perspectives, and constraints, and work together more collaboratively.