In a leadership training years ago, we were randomly divided into two groups, each given a set of norms and beliefs. We assumed the other group had the same document. We were then given a problem to solve all together and as you might guess, it was a disaster. The other group did NOT have the same document. We couldn’t communicate. We felt our core values were being attacked. We didn’t even like the other group and they felt the same way about us. It all took about 30 minutes.

Afterwards, we debriefed and brainstormed how to navigate differences. I’d love to do that exercise again. Maybe our whole country should. 

But man, I remember the feeling. It was frustration. We were all adults, leaders in our fields, and yet it took us A LOT of work to make headway.

Today, ​we’re all stuck in our own documents. There’s no mandate to navigate differences. In fact, we’re getting more stuck. 

​I think it will take intentionality to get unstuck, including (dare I say it?), bipartisanship. It might be the quiet, determined ones who will lead the way. But first we need to ask ourselves, “Is getting unstuck and working together what I want?”