Build Bridges not Walls
- Mohamed Abdelrahim
- Apr 24, 2022
- 2 min read
We’ve all heard the saying, “Build Bridges, not Walls.”, MLK Jr. But what does that mean for our professional lives? Quite simply, it means we should be working to build relationships with our colleagues, instead of creating barriers between us.
Of course, this isn’t always easy. We can be tempted to view others as competition rather than collaborators. But when we do this, everyone loses out. The company suffers because cooperation and teamwork are essential for success. And we ourselves miss out on the opportunity to learn from others and develop new skills.
So how can we build bridges instead of walls at work? Here are a few tips:
- Be open minded and willing to listen to others’ ideas. Too often we jump to conclusions or dismiss other people’s suggestions without giving them a fair hearing. Instead, try to reserve judgment until you have heard everything someone has to say.
- Seek out opportunities for collaboration, break the silos. If everyone is working in isolation, there is little chance for creativity or innovation. Look for projects that allow you to team up with other people, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
- Take an interest in your colleagues as individuals. When we see people as just another faceless member of a group, it becomes easier to ignore their needs and treat them unfairly. Try getting know your coworkers on a personal level – what they like outside of work, their hobbies etc. This will make it harder to mistreat them or disregard their contributions.
When we focus on our differences instead of our similarities, it breeds division and mistrust. But when we come together as a team and focus on what unites us – our goals and objectives – we can achieve great things.
We need to remember that at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to do our best work and make a positive impact in the world. So let’s put aside our differences and work together towards common goals.
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