Getting things done or getting along?

By Lavern Nissley

So, if you had to choose between getting things done or getting along, which is most important to you?

Depending upon how you're wired in your personality, you may find yourself feeling more strongly about one or the other. What's your vote?

​Getting things done is TASK orientation, and that would seem important in a productive life. Getting along shows the significance of RELATIONSHIPS. How could we overlook that?

Actually BOTH are important and necessary. Kind of like air and water.

The most effective people make sure that things are getting done AND that they're getting along. Emphasizing one at the expense of the other is like shooting yourself in the foot, cutting off the limb you're sitting on, or whatever metaphor that illustrates foolishly hurting yourself.

So, what's the path to balancing these effectively? Three quick tips:

• Know your own tendency. Are you more task or relationship oriented?
• Appreciate the opposite. Recognize those around you who may approach life from the other angle.
• Incorporate both. If you're TASK oriented, work hard at RELATIONSHIPS; if you're RELATIONSHIP oriented, make sure you're completing TASKS.

At Encompass Connection Center we offer a 3 hour workshop--Work Smart, Live Well--that helps balance these two elements in the workplace. The next one scheduled is Tuesday, January 29 from 9 am to noon in our training room.  For more info click the button below.

Work Smart, Live Well