I was watching the news on TV and Sir Kier Starmer was talking about the problems that the Conservatives created over the past 14 years. Now I find it hard to believe that anything was kept a secret, I mean, we all know the NHS is struggling and if you just type “How do we improve the efficiency of the NHS” in to ChatGPT you will get a load of suggestions that, actually, might make the NHS more efficient.
There is nothing new in streamlining processes, improving procurement strategies, budgeting or managing the workforce, but in order for these changes to be effective we need people to collaborate, engage and to look for solutions. We have had a ‘point scoring’ political game for far too long. If politics was a private business, it would be bankrupt as everything takes too long to agree.
I don’t have the answers and really don’t understand why the leader of the opposition does not hold, the party in power, to account, because that is what should happen. So if Kier moans about the state of the economy, the NHS or rail service, he was (and still is) a part of the problem. Rishi now has the job of supporting Kier but I am sure all I’ve heard, so far, are excuses and denial.
Matthew Syed’s “Black box thinking” explains why admitting mistakes, owning problems and holding yourself accountable for solutions is vital in creating high performing teams, producing a brilliant service or building innovative / creative organisations. If all of the information is there, available to most people, why don’t they take note, listen and change the way they do things?
The energy it takes to resist something is probably more than the energy required to support things and to agree a way forward. Is this too simple?
If you had a group of people around you that only spent their time disagreeing with you, heckling you and being blockers, what would you do? I’m sure it can’t be fun or motivational.
Critical thinking does has its place and is useful to check out solutions, theories and action plans but it can’t be the only strategy. Edward de Bono’s book “6 thinking hats” identified 6 mindsets useful to use to establish a broad viewpoint around a challenge or a problem, that, lead to a well rounded solution. Not just one viewpoint.
Maybe I’m just fed up with listening to politicians moaning, so, I’m going to stop putting the news on for a couple of weeks 😀.
If something gets you angry, de-rails your positivity or just flattens your mood, here are a couple of solutions that I have found useful:
- Identify if it’s out of your control – let it go, it’s not the problem
- Desensitise yourself – choose for it not to affect you
- Avoid it
- Reframe it – try and see things from a different perspective
- Surround yourself with positive people
- Exercise – release endorphins
- Listen to music that lifts your mood
I hope you all have a great week…