By the time we’ve worked with someone for a few months, we’ve developed certain expectations for what they will say and do. But if you want to have good relationships at work, it’s important to try to see colleagues as they are now, not as they used to be. As an experiment, try to simply notice your colleagues afresh. How do they look today? What is their tone of voice? What are their facial expressions? Are they really saying the same old stuff, or is there something new that you can notice and appreciate? Improved noticing leads to improved awareness, which in turn leads to better options, decisions, and actions. And better options, decisions, and actions are in everyone’s best interests.
Adapted from "See Colleagues as They Are, Not as They Were," by Duncan Coombe
