Would you rather be right or effective?
By: Tim Cynova // Published: May 2, 2017
I used to work with someone who would always ask “Which would you rather” questions. Which would you rather: Wear a bathing suit in Antarctica, or a snow suit in the desert? Which would you rather as a musician: Be a one-hit wonder with a song that defines summer for a generation, or a member of a band with modest success for 10 years?
Since those days, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for “Which would you rather” questions. In the latest episode of How We Work, we explore “Which would you rather, be right or effective?” in the context of an abrasive leader about to lose their job.
We take a look at self-described Wrongologist Kathryn Schultz and what it feels like when you’re wrong, as well as a retired Brigadier General who literally wrote the book on leading in extreme situations.
And before you say it, yes, sure, there is a way to be both right and effective. However, we’ll use this false dichotomy to look at instances when one’s desire to be right undermines their ability to be effective.
Tim Cynova is a leader, HR consultant, and educator dedicated to co-creating anti-racist and anti-oppressive workplaces through using human-centered organizational design. He is a certified Senior Professional in HR, trained mediator, principal at Work. Shouldn’t. Suck., on faculty at New York’s The New School and Canada’s Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and for the past twelve years served as COO and then Co-CEO of the largest association of artists, creatives, and makers in the U.S.
