A formation!

Most of the jasmine flowers in our garden have this formation. Three flowers in a stem, the central one being bigger.

It is interesting to watch this phenomenon of the two buds on either side of the big central flower, often all of them blossoming at the same time. When the flowers are open, they look similar in size and in the formation of petals. It is only during the bud stage,  this difference is striking. 

This difference is therefore transient and in one sense looks insignificant. The small differences do not matter because all the three flowers provide the fragrance and gives honey to the bees.

I have had opportunities to work with different groups in an array of organisations. What disappoints me is the experience of facing differences of opinion or thoughts among the leaders which then divide the team to take an oppositional stand. 

All of us are in different positions of responsibilities with unequal abilities and skills. It is coming together of all of our collective skills which create the momentum of growth and impact.

Think of the hours we often spend unnecessarily forcing ourselves to disagree rather than let go of the differences and think of the function we are called to fulfil. 

For the jasmine flower it is providing fragrance, honey and a place in flower decoration. It does not matter if some buds are small or big! Ultimately all the differences get subsumed in the fragrance and beauty the flowers provides. 

I have suffered a lot while negotiating through difficulties in some organisations because differences of opinion persuaded some to take the dissent beyond a level of tolerance or comfort.   

It has set me on a learning curve to study the pattern in nature and appreciate how the differences create coherence and not dissent! It gives me an insight about where I too went wrong in my negotiating role and leads me to a new awareness about the expressed and concealed aspirations of people when we are at a negotiating table!

M.C.Mathew(text an photo)