As the country moved toward Monday of this week and Brett Kavanaugh's nomination for Supreme Court Justice, there were many news reports about litmus tests. As usual, depending on which news outlets you engage in, you heard a variety of viewpoints spoken as absolute truths.
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So, whether you believe that "people will die" or "the constitution will be honored as written and precedent will hold" should Kavanaugh serve on the High Court and … whether you like, or dislike, the idea of litmus tests being applied, IF you had to design a litmus test for leaders (this is an intellectual, critical/creative thinking, exercise on Friday the 13th), what would it be?
Well, if I HAD to choose one today, it would be:
The Leader believes conflict can be an opportunity (not only a problem) and the Leader has the skills to 1) create purposeful conflict and 2) successfully move through conflict (i.e., whether purposely engaging in conflict or responding to conflicts initiated by others).
IF you had to design a litmus test for leaders today, what would it be?
What does this say about your perspective on/beliefs about leadership?
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And, if Kavanaugh ends up as our next Supreme Court Justice, let's remember what was stated this week about litmus tests and absolute truths …
I hope we get better at handling conflict together so that we can move through important, purposeful conflicts together.
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Purposeful Conflict -
* a conflict that, when resolved, can lead to a positive outcome (e.g., problem solved, better understanding, deeper relationships, collaboration, innovation etc.)
~ engaging in purposeful conflict represents entering into a social situation that others many find uncomfortable (or even hostile) based on an expectation that moving through the conflict successfully will lead to a positive outcome
~ Ideally, this leads to a positive outcome for all stakeholders. For example:
When the customer first said, "No, I don't want to buy", the consultative sales person willingly entered purposeful conflict with the customer in order to meet the customers needs and close the sale.
