How many conversations have you led or been part of that have focussed on what somebody else should be doing? I know, I’ve been there, and from time to time I still go there, despite my best efforts. There is a tendency for us to look for somebody responsible when things aren’t going the way we would like. It could be the government, the processing works, industry bodies or hundreds of others that are regularly in the firing line of our “They should…” statements.
Ups and downs of social media
I spent the first 40 years of my life devoid of pretty much any social media, for a big chunk of that because it didn’t exist and then for a fair while where I didn’t really get it. These days I probably burn 30-60 minutes each day either scrolling or posting on social media. You probably know where this bit is going because thousands (millions more likely) have written about the good and bad of social media. It is awesome to share stories and experiences with people all over the world in real-time and be way more connected to this vast planet and its amazing people, plants and animals than ever before in history. The downside is that we also get to see humans at their worst. Social media has provided a voice to everyone and this can be used extremely well and not so well. I’m sure you get the point so I won’t labour it further.
An end to the blame game
Whether it is on social media, at Saturday kid’s sport or at the end of an industry catch-up, the one thing I’d like to encourage us all to keep a lid on is the blame game. Again, I am far from perfect on this front but I want us all to do better. When I read or hear someone talking about another group that “should” be doing something it gets my hackles up. Often these people who “should” be doing something are actually trying hard to do it. I don’t think anyone in the entire agricultural value chain gets out of bed thinking about how they can screw the whole thing up further today. Everyone is doing what they feel is best. That doesn’t mean we need to agree with what they do or say but unless they are directly within our influence talking about what they should do makes little or no sense and actually contributes to a negative mindset.
Focus on the things you can change
I love the quote, “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% and 10% how we react to it” from Charles Swindoll. I think our tendency is to spend way too much time thinking about the 10% and not enough planning the 90%. What is it that YOU can do, regardless of what THEY should do? The problem with the “They should” chat is that it results in a defeated mindset and can easily leave us feeling like the victims of some other force with no agency over the outcome. When you are in the mindset of what you can do, you are in problem-solving and opportunity mode and your subconscious brain will help you achieve great things.
There are big issues that do need bigger forces than just individuals tackling them - and we don’t all have the time to contribute to the organisations that take the lead on this. I’m not saying we all need to work on all of the issues. However, I am saying that unless you have some insight that wouldn’t be obvious to the group working on things, stay quiet. If you do have some great insight, ring up the people who you think need to know and let them know directly. Otherwise, let the people who are making the calls make the calls. If you feel strongly enough about something then get out there and do something about it.
My main concern is the amount of people who love to drag down the people who are having a go. They find some aspect that is likely to align with others' thinking and start publically questioning or bad-mouthing the people who’ve stuck their necks out to make a difference. A classic case of this is the people having a crack at the organisers of Lambex in Australia. The organising committee and their secretariat are working their backsides off to bring back what should be an icon of the Australian sheep industry. I’ve attended every Lambex except one (when I had a newborn at home) and have loved them all. I can’t fathom why people would want to try to drag it down. If you don’t want to go, that’s fine but don’t tell the world about why they shouldn’t go. I could go in with examples because this is just one of them.
Yes, and…
A quick personal challenge that you can play within your family or team that I learnt at the D. School at Stanford University. Take the word BUT out of your vocabulary and replace it with YES AND. Do that for a day or a week and see how your mindset changes. Take the same approach to things you read about or hear about when talking with friends or neighbours. Focus on what you can do to make things better rather than what “They” should do.
Energy matters
The amount of time and energy that gets spent trying to discredit others defies belief. There are those individuals out there who are looking for the dark and gloomy bit of a cloud rather than the silver lining. I like to think about what the industry would look like if all of the energy spent infighting and undermining was instead used for innovative thought, collaboration and encouragement of others. You don’t have to drag someone down to your level to make you look great. Give them a lift so they can stand on your shoulders and you will both look amazing. My favourite line of one of my favourite songs growing up was “Nothing attracts a crowd, like a crowd” (Black Gold by Soul Asylum in case you are wondering). A positive crowd, will result in a bigger positive crowd and I’m sure will enable great things. Each of us has the power to shift the mindset of an entire industry by positive reinforcement and stamping out the “they should” chat - who’s with me?
