The Pronoun Game

“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Philip. 2:2

If you listen carefully in most organizations,the biggest problem is clearly “They”:
“Look what ‘they’ve' done now!”
“Isn’t it time that ‘they’ do a little work?”
“‘They’ should have known better!”

It’s certainly true that "they" -shorthand for "other people" or "that other department"- are not perfect. But one of your toughest jobs as a leader is thinking beyond yourself and your own group and about the organization as a whole.

Try playing the pronoun game and encourage your team to do the same. Instead of focusing on what "they" do, look for your own responsibility in situations. For example: “They’ve got problems with the project we’re doing with them. Let’s look at our procedures – are we helping or hindering?”

After all, the best way to handle responsibility is to reach out and share it – to turn “them” into "us."