AID and Me
AID Dallas is growing as a chapter. In strength, in resources and in knowledge. As we grow we will tend to take on new and larger challenges such as social issues or campaigns. When we try to solve social, economic, health and educational problems we will often encounter opinions, thoughts, actions and intentions different from us in some way. Growing up, each of us had different experiences, personalities and education. We faced different challenges and developed or discovered different strengths. Each of us have now come together in good faith to do something to solve problems we see in India.
Before we do anything each of us needs to develop a commitment to ensure success in solving the problem we are addressing. Each of us must take on individual and personal responsibility for the organization. We also need to be knowledgeable about what we do and how we do it. A large part of the responsibility to teach ourselves and those in our team lies on each of us individually. We must also recognize that each of us is different and so there will be two sides to any interaction.
Then, we need, to recognize, respect and acknowledge these differences present in our interactions and understand their impact on our work. Let us use every interaction to learn. Plenty of opportunities will present themselves to offer solutions, and I hope we will have the strength to take a decision or state an opinion because we will have to stick with it, work to ensure its success and have the courage to face the consequences of our decisions. We can achieve best results by either adapting to others, blending differences or working together to create solutions that are neither my way nor your way, but our way. Ignore differences if they don’t impede our progress.
We have to develop a self understanding and use it. To prevent all our good work from coming to nothing we must try to control potentially destructive feelings, thoughts and behaviors like demonstrating feelings of frustration or stereotypical thinking or defensive behavior. To achieve the best for the people we are working with in India we must develop a constructive and open mindset. Let us be open to looking at differences objectively, and understanding the potential value that another way can bring. Innovations or breakthroughs usually occur when differences intersect, but we need to value and respect differences otherwise we will close off opportunities that could benefit us. Let us be willing to cooperate and have confidence with patience to endure the insecurity that can occur when differences meet. This requires us to think that I am not the “know it all” person. Each one of our approaches comes from our experiences, our culture (which in turn is defined by rules, habits and traditions), our education, and so many more factors. They provide us with ways of thinking and doing. A constructive mindset, open to exploring differences is more likely to see beyond narrow viewpoint or trivial solutions.
It is important to know the difference between simple solutions and simplistic solutions. If a problem has been around for a while there might be many facets to it and sometimes we may atleast have to look at as many facets as possible to ensure an optimal solution. Offer solutions even if you may think others have better ideas and be sure to pay attention to what might be counter-intuitive for you, for that is when you will go ‘ah-ha. I’ve got an idea!’ Be aware of our own preferences, and those of others we are interacting with and identify difficulties. Then, be proactive in identifying how we need to adapt and also what value can be generated from these differences.
Is the task at hand and what needs to happen to achieve that task more important or do I focus on relationships with those with whom I’ll be undertaking the task? Relationships are everything. We are humans and we are working with people. People have feelings and emotions. When there are two people in an interaction there will be two sides. Both sides can add value and both sides can subtract value if taken to the extreme or applied regardless of the circumstances. The challenge is to adapt between the differences as needed. This is not to give up or give into but to create an environment where we can together accomplish a lot.
Adaptability of our ideas, perceptiveness to recognize a brilliant idea, ability to deal with uncertainty and self management are very important. In AID we spend a lot of time communicating to others to gain their support. We need to develop the skill of presenting our thinking in ways that can be ‘received’ by others. Implicit communication might not be effective, even if our idea is extremely valuable and needs to be heard. Express your ideas no matter how silly you may think they are. Chances are the other person may think they are great ideas.
Fear of losing one’s identity and what “defines” our identity now or a few generations down the lane when we won’t even be around is the reason for many social problems. Gaining a cultural, ideological and intellectual independence doesn’t mean losing our identity. Understanding and adapting to others doesn’t make us any less of what we are or what we were when we were born.
Objectivity is necessary if the best approach or idea is to be discovered. That means to be objective about our own mindset and assumptions as well as those of others. Perseverance is important because working across different mindsets especially when there is a voluntary effort, can be difficult. You just have to keep at it patiently. Interpersonal communication is very important. So is cross-cultural communication to motivate across cultures and mindsets.
As children and teenagers we developed roots. Our families, our environments, friends, schools, teachers, media, experiences all influenced us. As we grow older we can also grow intellectually the abilities that will allow us to work across experiences, ideas, preferences, prejudices, cultures, and traditions and draw wisdom and learning from all of them to solve serious problems that need solving. Even as an experienced AID volunteer my preset notions can trick me into thinking that there are well worn and trodden paths to follow but openness to receive new ideas will help me create new possibilities. If we don’t develop such openness and these issues remain unsolved due to our intransigencies, then we would have failed as a generation and passed on these problems to the next generation to solve.
Let us resolve today to gather as many ideas as we can by being open so we can once and for all effectively solve the problems we see in India and the World.
