“There is great harm in always wanting to create harmony.” – Maria-ism
“Can’t we all just get along” or “let’s all work in harmony” are dangerous myths that are passed along as sound advice in any organization or team effort. There is a reason that “harm” is the root word in the word harmony.
Does that mean that musical harmony doesn’t sound good or pleasing to the ear? NO, absolutely not. Harmony sounds wonderful in music. However, harmony in a team ASSUMES that everyone is producing to their best effort. In music, do not every note and every pause contribute to the melody? In working with people, one cannot assume that every person is “giving it their all.” After all, we are human beings. Jim Rohn said it best when he said “working with a group of human beings is like herding cats.” It’s tough!
If, for the sake of harmony, you ask your best and most productive people to get along with those who are lazy, slow movers that are self-focused or egotistical, what are you really asking? You’re not asking for harmony; you’re asking them to compromise their principles and values. It’s a dangerous assumption to think that everyone who comes to the table is responsible for their action, personally committed, and detached from the outcome. In reality, many people are scarcity thinkers who believe if they don’t grab a piece of the pie, someone else will take it. In reality, many people do not have the personal self confidence and esteem to give up their position for the betterment of the whole.
In working with a CEO mastermind group, my greatest challenge is in watching the great expansion and contraction as the wheat is separated from the chaff. If our only focus was harmony, then we would have people at the CEO mastermind table who do not respect confidentiality, business ethics, or contribution. Business is about making money – bottom line. PRODUCTIVITY, as opposed to HARMONY, is key. Being committed to the objectives of the organization or the team is important to collaboration.
Forget about harmony – go for productivity.
Coach Maria Elena, AKA The Champion of Connections
