Small change: it’s probably me

‘They’ might appear to be an unremarkable word in the English language, but in the context of work it’s a revealing one. “They aren’t aligned.” “They haven’t got it together.” “They haven’t built the business case.” “They’re not leading.” These sorts of complaints arise over and over again in change processes.

What’s revealing about the word ‘they’ is that it situates the problem over there, with the other. Whatever is happening, the word implies, the issue lies with people who are not me. It’s a power play and a half: I get to sit here being right. You get to sit there being judged.

The problem with this is that all situations are co-created. Whether by doing something or doing nothing, we are always making a contribution to our circumstances. The good news is that, when we recognise this, we can change that contribution for the better.

Something to consider: where might I substitute the word “they” with “we”?

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