Pick your most annoying staff member. You have more in common than you think.

Michael Nichols suggests a new way of thinking about that annoying staff person that frustrates the heck out of you:

Stop and think for a moment – think of your most challenging colleague. Now, think about all of the areas where you agree .

If this is difficult at first, start small. Then, move on to bigger, more substantive things.

If you’re brave enough to be honest, no matter how difficult the person is, you’ll really only come up with differences in a few areas.

Michael then suggests why these few (and sometimes small differences) so often derail teams:

Because some teams work on the wrong things.

Some teams work on making sure nobody’s feelings get hurt rather than alignment through transparent dialogue. Some teams work on damage control instead of leading strategically through change.

Some teams resist and react to new ideas instead of experimenting and innovating. Some teams want to dictate rather than collaborate.

Some team members are content earning a paycheck while others are transforming a community and the marketplace. Some teams give up rather than push on until they reach a breakthrough.

Some teams keep people guessing while others clarify and communicate vision. Some teams foster the status quo while others are repulsed by it.

His advice:

Your team needs a leader that is willing to show the way – a leader willing to grow,a leader willing to serve, a leader willing to speak up, a leader willing to acknowledge a mistake, a leader willing to set aside petty differences and focus on commonality.

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