Flying Thoughts Am I Part of the Problem?

My flying thought for today; am I part of the problem?

‘If you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.’ I’m sure you’ll have heard this phrase before, it can (and has been) applied to all facets of life. I am by no means the first person to chime in on this topic, but I do believe I have some unique insight into it. I believe that no person on the planet wants to be part of the problem, but that doesn’t mean they are part of the solution either. In reality, we are all likely entrenched in hundreds of different problems, and solutions, many of which we might not even be aware of. Does that make us all bad people?

Our upbringing can make us blind to problems that we didn’t know existed. As a white man, it is part of my duty to learn about experiences that are different from my own. Those who have worked with me know that I like to know people. To truly know people. For me, that’s what it means to have a person-centred business. By knowing what issues my colleagues and teams face, I can put plans into place to support them however I am able to. If I don’t make myself aware of the problems, I can’t help finding the solution. That doesn’t make me special. It doesn’t make me a hero. I’m not vying for recognition. What I am saying is that I’m doing what I can, with the tools that I have. Can I do more? Yes. Do I want to do more? Yes.

There’s a quote from Tom Brokaw that says, ‘It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.’

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with many incredibly talented and supportive business professionals, but I am more than aware that this is not always the case. In any industry, there will be people in positions of power who are more than happy with the status quo. They are happy with the way things are. They don’t bother to champion diversity or new ways of thinking, other than in a very basic way (because they must), and therefore they are actively part of the problem. They are perpetuating a culture of exclusion in the workplace, rather than doing what is morally right by refusing to change and adapt to a changing society.

‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing,’ Edmund Burke. I’m not suggesting that all senior leaders within industry are evil, but by doing nothing to improve the lives of both their workforce and the general public they are a part of the problem. Granted, probably not as much a part of the problem as people who are actively fighting against good causes and the development of good business practices, but they are still a part of the problem.

The world isn’t black and white. You aren’t always part of the problem or part of the solution. Sometimes you can be both. Sometimes you can be neither.

In my opinion, a mentality shift is required here. If more people took a look at the world around them (particularly those like myself, who have led businesses and therefore have had the opportunity to dramatically influence people’s lives) and identify problems that they have been complicit in and make a conscious effort to be part of the solution instead, would the world not be a better place?

Sometimes the solutions are simple fixes. Sometimes, they are huge undertakings, but if our actions can change the lives of others, and we have the capacity to do so, then surely that is our duty? Of course, we’re not always able to make huge changes, but the act of wondering whether you are a part of the problem shows that your heart is in the right place. It shows that you are not blinkered.

My philosophy in life is to be kind and to treat people with respect. Respect goes a long way to becoming part of the solution, rather than perpetuating problems. You can’t fight for every cause, or support every person you come across, and nobody expects you to. There aren’t enough hours in the day to stand on your soapbox and preach against every issue going on in the world, but you can make a difference, especially for the ones that mean the most to you.

We all (hopefully) have a hill that we are willing to, metaphorically or otherwise, die upon. For me, it is inclusivity. Everybody should have the tools they need to succeed in life, whatever success means to them. If you look at my embarrassingly long career so far, you’ll see that inclusion and diversity are at the very heart of every business I have ever been a part of. This is likely the culmination of my childhood experiences, growing up in a low-income household that made me this way. I have been lucky. I was given the chance to succeed, and I will do (and have done) much to can to help those I am able to, to have the same opportunity.

If you’re not a part of the solution, are you part of the problem? Perhaps, but you cannot be a part of every solution for every problem so, maybe, we should just all treat people with kindness and dignity (championing causes close to our hearts) and, in doing so, we will make the world a better place. What do you think?