The Gotchas

Many of you are aware that I am somewhat addicted to some less than stellar television shows. From looking at each of the Real Housewives locales (I really am embarrassed by this) to Family Guy (I love the promo that features the youngest kid calling for his mom ad naseum) to Nip/Tuck (can I get away with this because it is kinda about medicine?), I veg out on some pretty bad stuff. However, I am also addicted to the wonderful Mad Men and Meet The Press, Face The Nation and other political television "news shows." Yesterday, as I looked at several of the Sunday morning news shows I had an epiphany on what many of the things I watch have in common. They are all about the "Gotcha." This weekend's political theater "Gotcha" is all about Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and what he said privately that is now public (did he miss Communications & Media Training 101?). The reaction to his comments are pretty black & white (no pun intended). From Republicans, this is the latest "Gotcha." From Democrats, it is "let's move on to more important issues." Lest you think I am being partisan, I remember all too well, the Dems playing Gotcha with the comments of former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. Time will tell if history repeats itself.
While "Gotcha" makes for interesting fake (even when supposed reality) television series, it is much less helpful in the real world (which is why politics is such a turn off for so many). I believe that we try hard not to play the "Gotcha" game in our department. That doesn't mean that we don't have disagreements -- we do. It means, however that we work through those disagreements respectfully and stay aware of the bigger goal which is to provide excellent service to our clients. None of us can expect all of our work days to be filled with sunshine and lollipops (afterall this is work), but I have always been impressed that when issues arise, we are able to address them in a way that is about getting to resolution rather than playing "Gotcha." The goal of "Gotcha" is always to make someone the loser. We are fortunate that we are about identifying issues, resolving them and celebrating wins!
As we start the New Work Year (as if there is some line of demarcation between the old and the new), I am resolving to more publicly celebrate our department's wins. I will use our Shout Out system more and will make sure the great work you are all doing gets more visibility at the levels above me. Not because you have asked for it, but because you deserve it.