The Right side of history

I have a few common sayings or phrases that I seem to repeat in the workplace. This one is my favorite: “Make sure you’re on the right side of history.”

Now, this saying will take a bit of unpacking, as it might not make much sense at face value.

In any job, any industry, any position, there will always be difficult situations. Whether you’re caught in a workplace conflict situation, or negotiating for higher pay, or you simply disagree with a peer or stakeholder, we all deal with sticky situations at work. During those times, emotions like anger, fear, and uncertainty might take over. You might find yourself in situations where others are playing a political game, and that’s out of your comfort zone, or simply not how you prefer to communicate and handle conflict.

In those moments, I like to take a breath, take a break, take a beat, close my eyes, and ask myself a few questions:

“In one month, will I be proud of how I’ve handled this?”

“Would I guide others, my team, to handle this situation?”

“Am I showing up in a manner that is right for my long-term brand?”

“Am I building relationships, or burning them?”
“Do I feel like I’m on the right side of history?”

Generally, once I feel like I’ve answered those questions to my satisfaction, I will adjust my approach. Being on the right side of history is not always easy. It might force you to change your approach to a more vulnerable, open-hearted, and self-reflective stance. I’d recommend “taking your boxing gloves off” and try to have an open and honest conversation with your peers. No punches, no games, just open and honest communication. By doing so, you might shock others around you – but remain strong.

It takes a strong dose of bravery to approach situations in this manner, and that can be scary! I promise you, that bravery will pay off. Every time you handle situations and remain on the right side of history, you’re building your brand and your confidence. Each interaction matters, and your relationships matter!