Section 23: Choose Your Battles Carefully

Overview

Anya is absolutely passionate about the use of color in the work environment. She read a number of studies on the subject and tried hard to get her managers to repaint the walls and get new furniture.

The problem is that nobody else has any interest in the topic. The current market conditions are very tight, and no one else sees why it’s important to spend money on cosmetic fixes or replace furniture that is quite serviceable. Her boss tells her there is no money budgeted for such things.

Anya is becoming frustrated and is working even harder to sell her vision of a beautiful workplace, but it only creates more anxiety. Her boss tells her to stop talking about it because the discussions are creating too much friction.

Anya needs to understand that there is always an appropriate time and place for each battle. In this case, there are clearly more important issues in the organization than repainting the walls, and it is going to be extremely hard––perhaps impossible––to change those priorities.

And her managers may be entirely correct. They may have to make the choice between Anya’s proposals and letting someone go. Clearly the business does not need this distraction right now.

There are several ways Anya might handle the situation.

• She could be patient, gather data, refine her arguments, and wait until the time is right.

• She could find an influential decision maker in the organization who is inclined to champion this idea.

• She could move to a different organization or company that is more supportive of her ideas.

• She could work on removing barriers for her idea, i.e., removing the cost by changing the color only when the walls were to be repainted anyway.

• She could try to start small by influencing the environment only for herself or her immediate work group.

Any of these approaches are valid, depending on the situation. The point is that Anya can change the battle from being unwinnable by focusing on a different problem or different approach.

When it comes to Anya’s career, this decision can have a big impact. If she continues on the present course, it might even limit her future with the organization. The battle should promise a pretty big payoff!

By redefining the challenge, Anya has the opportunity to create a win for both the organization and herself. If something gets approved, even a first step, then she has the opportunity to be the leader to carry it forward. And in a few years, she may even see her vision come to life.

The bottom line: focus on those things that will give the greatest value to the organization as well as to yourself. You will experience alignment, support, and energy.

Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.

—Jonathan Kozol