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Jeffrey Davis's avatar

When I try to create for extended periods in solitude, I look a lot like George and Ringo - gazing off, yawning. But when real collaboration happens, it can be golden especially when there's healthy conflict.

Adam Grant and others have written about the Wright Bros. being notoriously contentious with one another - but all in good collaboration. They're like the two Bobs.

Two important reminders here for me: 1) In work with teammates, the appeal to excellence in the Work is vital. It's not about you. It's about excellence for the work at hand. Let's argue about that. 2) Staying open and non-reactive when conflict arises is vital - especially with family. :-)

Get Back is a masterclass in looking at all five of these ways of managing conflict.

My best collaborations happen when I have an idea and can surrender my ownership of it to someone else's or a team mates' talents to make the idea even better. Then the idea transcends personal ownership.

Thanks for this piece. It's got me excited again about teamwork.

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Blair Glaser's avatar

This is such a thoughtful response, Jeffrey. What reading it brought up for me was how fun it is to collaborate with you in the many ways we have over the years, even back in the HV Create days. I’m so glad you’re excited about teamwork and I’m here to say, you know I’m down for it again when the time is right.

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Karen DeBonis's avatar

This is chock full of wisdom and resources, as usual, Blair. I hadn't seen the Beatles video, but it's mesmerizing, like a microcosm of the Big Bang. I ordered The Power Broker from my library, and will watch Turn Every Page tonight. Thank you!

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Blair Glaser's avatar

Karen, that makes me happy. Because Turn Every Page is an amazing film. And The Power Broker is a masterpiece, especially for New Yorkers. And I love to hear that readers resonate with the posts. Thanks for chiming in.

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Karen DeBonis's avatar

I’m an upstate New Yorker (by marriage), but with Trump in power, I’m curious about NYC politics and how that may have influenced him and his politics today. I’m sure the book will be fascinating. And probably depressing, but being informed and depressed is better than uninformed and depressed.

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Blair Glaser's avatar

Oh believe me, I know where you live! I used to be an upstate New Yorker, too! But the Power Broker is about Robert Moses whose impact ran up and down the state (though mostly centered around NYC).

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Karen DeBonis's avatar

We watched the documentary about Robert Moses. Did you recommended that?) We also watched Turn Every Page. Fascinating. Now I want to read every Bob Caro book!

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Blair Glaser's avatar

Right? It’s definitely a good adv. for those tomes.

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DIAHANN REYES-LANE's avatar

Okay- so much here. Love how it went from the Beatles to polyamory to conflict management. It's such a reminder that conflict is an opportunity- so easy to just pull away and call it a day and shut the door on relationships/partnerships-- to think one of the most iconic songs ever might not have been born otherwise.

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Blair Glaser's avatar

Yeah, that video is pretty special. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your reflections.

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