How might the energy industry’s strength of collaborative partnering also result in ongoing challenges for organizational growth and power project success?
One of the essential skills to growing Charlotte, USA -- The New Energy Capital is relationship building. Thankfully, one of our strengths in the power industry is our willingness to generate inter-organizational collaboration. This is even recognized and respected by business prospects who visit our region, As we continue to innovate the way we work together, leading initiatives that call upon team work across academic institutions, public and private organizations, our success will require advanced relationship and communication skills.
Consider one of the new nuclear projects like V.C. Summer in Jenkinsville, SC. Significant collaborative business structures and stakeholder partnerships, along with the ongoing supply chain contracts and project management already present complex dynamics for the project. Many of the challenges the project’s teams are facing have the “first time factor” since these new builds are using technology and intellectual capital never employed before. The scope is broad, the stakes are high and the issues are wicked. That means they require completely new systems, including new communication, relationship, problem solving, and leadership systems.
As you and your organization face obstacles on a macro or micro level, consider adding these tools to your leadership and communication:
1. Right vs. Right
“Right vs. Right” situations include:
- Short Term vs. Long Term
- Established Policy vs. First-Time Factors
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Truth vs. Loyalty
When these inevitable quandaries are handled as “right vs. wrong” arguments, it can derail projects and damage relationships. When you find yourself smack dab in the middle of one, a simple, yet powerful, tool for addressing it in a productive way is to acknowledge out loud that this is a “right vs. right dilemma.” Instead of standing toe-to-toe, holding tightly and arguing fiercely for your side, for what you know is “right,” imagine how differently the conversation could go if you were to step side-by-side. Acknowledge out loud, “We’re in a right vs. right situation. Let’s learn more about each other’s side to find a solution. What are you up against?”
2. Yes, and…
Have you ever watched Whose Line Is It Anyway? One of our best leadership.communication.relationship tools is also a basic improvisational acting exercise. In the “Yes, and…” exercise, the first person makes a statement and the next person starts by saying, “Yes, and…”
For example:
Player A: “I got you a new bicycle for your 70th birthday!”
Payer B: “Yes, and I can’t wait to try it out. Grab my walker and let’s go down to the park.”
Who knows where the scene goes from here—it’s a solid beginning!
Notice there are two parts:
a.) “Yes” is about accepting what the person is offering. Even if it’s something you haven’t encountered before. Even if it’s (at first) a perspective very different than yours.
b.) “and…” is about building on it.
For example:
Player A hands Player B an ice cream cone.
Player B takes the cone (Yes) and then just stands there.
Player B is forgetting the “and” part of the equation and the scene doesn’t get very far.
Omitting either part of the equation is considered “blocking.” Blocking also sounds like, “No...”, “But…”, or “Yes, but…”
These tools are incredibly effective in negotiation and conflict management as well. Where are you unknowingly blocking interactions, progress, or common ground? How might your collaboration and team work elevate by consistently applying these two simple techniques?
You and your team can develop your relationship-building skills to generate more productivity and profit. Take the initiative to reach out and build a relationship within our Energy Community. Let’s continue to innovate, collaborate and build our New Energy Capital one interaction at a time.
Posted Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011
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The author: Cathy Maday is the President of Wingspan Coaching Corporation, a leadership development firm in Charlotte, NC that specializes in serving the Energy and Utility industry. Wingspan’s tools and platforms focus on strengthening leadership, communication and relationship skills to generate greater productivity and profit.
Photo credit: Flickr/Komimo
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