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Larry Peters

December 2012 - TD Magazine

Modified behavior can’t occur without a culture that is open to change.

When Developing Leaders, Don’t Blame Training!

Each Month, The Public Manager reviews a recent title that should be on every federal leader’s book shelf. Here’s a look at three top reads.

3 Must Reads for Public Managers

Every year, a farmer harvested 500 acres of olives. He mentored young farming students from the local college for their accreditation. On their first day of orientation, they would get in the back of his pickup truck and learn the layout of the land.As they arrived at the vast, meticulous rows of olive trees, the students disembarked and followed the farmer’s guided tour.One student noticed the farmer’s back pocket. “What’s in your pocket?” he asked.The farmer replied, “An olive branch.”The student became curious and asked, “Why do you carry it with you?”The man stopped and turned to the young farmers to say, “You just never know when you might need it.” The students looked at each other unsure of what he meant.The farmer guided them on a dirt path between trees and said, “You are joining my team. You will learn how to cultivate and care for one of the greatest stone fruits in the world. You will witness the storms that threaten our crops, and you will learn how to farm in inclement weather. You will rise before the sun and work laborious hours right until dusk. You will be hungry and thirsty and, many times, physically exhausted. In small teams, you will be expected to meet harvesting quotas within a short amount of time. On your days off, you’ll be expected to do chores and wash your bedding and clothes. You will eat every meal at our community table and will have kitchen duties. You’ll feed and milk the cattle and herd the sheep back to shelter. All this you will do as a team. No decision you make will ever be made alone or independent of the rest of us.”The farmer pulled out the olive branch and continued, “When tensions arise, when you’re hungry and tired, when you don’t see eye-to-eye, when your teammates get under your skin, when you feel I’m favoring others over you, when you need a break—does anyone know what will happen?” He looked at the group of young farmers, waiting for their responses.One student guessed, “I’ll want to go home?” The team laughed. The farmer chuckled and replied, “Could be. It will certainly be an option. Any other guesses?” He waited for another response.“I won’t be making any friends while I’m here?” another joked, cutting the discomfort with levity.“You’re getting closer,” replied the farmer, as he smiled.Another raised her hand and guessed, “It sounds like sometimes I might feel angry.” The young farmers glanced over to their teammate, surprised by her answer.The farmer nodded and said, “You are exactly right. As you toil this land and care for the crops and herds, you will soon find out that people are much more disagreeable than any inclement weather or stubborn sheep. There are times you will feel anger, disappointment, frustration, or irritation with one or all of your teammates.”The farmer extended the olive branch to the student who guessed correctly. She thanked him and carefully inspected its texture and shape.The farmer said, “The symbol of the olive branch dates to at least the fifth century BC. Extending the olive branch was traditionally regarded as a symbol of peace—an offer or gesture of goodwill. The ancient Greeks believed that olive branches represented abundance, and they were one of the attributes of Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace.”He continued, “Perhaps only a small group of people practice Greek mythology today, but the metaphor has sustained the test of time; the olive branch continues to be a gift and a symbol that communicates, ‘I come in peace.’”The farmer signaled the group to follow him as he strolled through the grove. He came to a toolbox filled with pruning shears.“Your first lesson is to learn how to prune an olive tree.” He took a pair of shears and trimmed a branch. The students gathered around him and watched carefully.“Now, it’s your turn. Each of you pick a tree and choose a small branch that you will carry with you. This olive branch is your reminder that the relationships we will build together as a community will thrive greatly in harmony and peace. As you are tested, poked, and prodded with differing personalities and dynamics, remember to first extend the olive branch. Remember to come in peace before every conversation. Your time here will teach you how to resolve conflict—a mastery that is rarely trained; it is here where you will pick up its mantle. Resolving conflict, whether it be a storm or a bad attitude, will be one of the richest lessons you will gain. Learn the way of the olive branch, and you will be a very successful individual both professionally and personally.”Everyone experiences conflict at work.Maybe it’s spilling coffee on your shirt right before you do a presentation, or a colleague speaking curtly to you.Maybe you over-extended yourself with too much to do, or someone is micromanaging you.Maybe it’s a deadline that feels like no one else is taking seriously.Maybe there’s unrealistic expectations of what people want you to do.Maybe it’s an impatient boss, a rude client, or a mean colleague.Maybe it’s feeling like you are not part of the team, or seeing a peer treated more favorably over you.Maybe you feel overlooked in meetings, or you can’t get a word in edgewise.Maybe you didn’t get the raise you felt you deserved, or you got passed up for a promotion.Maybe it’s not being recognized for your contribution, or feeling disconnected from your peers.Maybe it’s a reactive boss or a dominant team member.Maybe the environment is too competitive, or you feel controlled.Maybe you’re frustrated because your colleague is unreliable, or people aren’t following through with what was agreed upon.Maybe your supervisor isn't being honest with you, or you don’t trust a team member.Whatever it may be, conflict in the workplace is inevitable.It is one thing to be a great communicator in conflict when it isn’t personal. It’s a whole other story when we feel disrespected, dismissed, or disregarded.The power of the olive branch helps us remain calm, so we can find our best words; it helps us create an environment that welcomes full transparency through a shared conversation that is mutually respectful.Avoiding conflict doesn’t resolve conflict. Confronting conflict doesn’t resolve conflict. Connecting during conflict resolves conflict.

Larry Peters

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