2021: Notes 35-37 -- Voices of Reason

Ever have someone point the finger at you or your team unfairly? Ever be pushed to take the blame for something that another team did? If you work for a company, this has probably happened to you. Heck, if you're a person, this has probably happend to you!

(And now a sidebar to apologize to my sister. I'm sorry I told Mom and Dad you broke the parfait dish when we were kids. It was me!)

We've all been there. Getting hammered for something that isn't going perfectly and others assuming we're to blame.

This is why working with true professionals -- people who pause, think and gather facts rather than jump to conclusions and point fingers -- is such a wonderful thing. I've been fortunate to work with a lot of people like that, and there are three who stand out for being great role models of fairness and a focus on facts.

They know how to assess a situation and get to the bottom of things. They are deft and de-escalating situations and helping coworkers set aside anger and bias. They recognize the importance of having strong working relationships that last. Time after time, these three people have injected fairness and facts into heated situations, helping bring them to a productive resolution.

I'm grateful for their efforts, and for the way they help others take a similar approach.