The 'with me or against me' mentality
The “you’re either for me or against me” mentality does not encourage people to connect with others who have a different opinion or idea about how to do things. It does not encourage compromise or constructive debate with people who see things differently. By doing this, it often prevents creative solutions from being found to problems that are common to both groups.
Planning often is stifled and nothing happens. Plans that are made are often rejected out of hand by the other side and never carried out. It doesn’t take much effort to say no. Witness the Republicans’ stand on Obamacare. They have yet, however, to introduce a clear plan that would be an alternative.
Communication when the lines are drawn so tightly often consists only of threats and accusations directed at the other side. There is little in the way of constructive communication. Team problem solving is not encouraged, but discouraged. Compromise is a no-no. Again, nothing happens. Paralysis.
The skills and the attitudes of resilience that we have just reviewed, making a connection with other people, flexibility, developing realistic plans and taking action and effective communication are all undermined or negated by the kind of partisan politics that exists.
Dr. Ron Breazeale
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