Most boys have probably experienced the scene of an argument on a pickup soccer field, where the kid who owns the ball, upon disagreeing with something, simply takes his ball and leaves, ending the game for everyone.
What may seem like just a children's episode helps us understand our relationship with power from an early age, and it is also something that happens in adult life and is part of our daily routine, whether in our professional or personal lives.
But I do not want to comment on power and its consequences. I prefer to use that same soccer example to talk about the lack of communication that exists today.
I recalled that soccer ball experience recently, while taking part in a match where we had a few arguments on the field, with the natural demand that the whole team put in effort and that each player give his best and try to make as few mistakes as possible. I was quite surprised when one of the players who was not performing well refused to accept the team's complaints and walked off the field without saying a word or giving any reason for not accepting the criticism directed at him, and in doing so he took two other players who were riding with him. The game simply ended.
When that happened, I realized that the lack of communication is just as harmful as the misuse of power. In both examples I described, the consequences were the same: the game ended and a tremendous frustration remained, and not everyone managed to fully understand what had happened.
So if the opportunity for power is not given to everyone, at least the opportunity to communicate is, and we have to make good use of it. Retreating into our own thoughts, sulking, grumbling, or seeking to withdraw, thinking that will solve our problems, are attitudes that generate side effects that affect not only us but everyone involved in the workplace, the family, or any other group we belong to. If you disagree with something, speak up, state your point of view, because that is how you give others the chance to know your opinions. Do not expect everyone to accept them. It is difficult, but try to accept others more than you try to be accepted, but never, truly never, stop communicating.
If you are not communicating today, then try not to complain about being misunderstood, or avoid thinking that the world is against you. Communication was built to open horizons, not to close them. Do not complain about those who communicate too much, the so-called "oversharing" types, because it is easy to block or filter them, but look at your own communication difficulties, because you may be missing many opportunities as a result. The choice is still yours.
