Perhaps it is an
aspect of the times within which we live (or myself becoming ever older), but I
do feel that people are changing – and not always for the better. Now I am
better able to contrast life and living in UK
and continental European countries and from long experience of both I can say,
as a generalisation, that life and living in the more western reaches of Europe has undergone dramatic change. Here, now, people
are shutting themselves off from the affairs of others; the nuclear family
concept is strengthening to the detriment of wider interaction. It’s not always
been like this so I guess it must relate directly to the difficulties and
concerns the majority face each day. This is in contrast to other, more eastern
and southern European countries, where the everyday interactions between people
are still strong and vibrant even though their personal problems are often a
greater burden than those of their counterparts in more “westernised” areas of
the continent.
At a more
individual level, I can see a chasm developing between north and south; not
solely in the area of economics but more importantly in terms of interactions. Thus,
I feel confident in suggesting that the “north” is far more inclined to “live
to work” whilst the south is more oriented to “work to live”. Both have their
attractions. The former grouping perceive interpersonal skills as part of their
armoury to be used for greater personal gain (and thus at the expense of
another) whilst the latter perceive them as an integral part of a mutual
“getting along” and hence at the expense of no-one. I am firmly in the “work to
live” camp especially when it comes to the skills of dealing with others.
Maybe the
“northern” types have been seduced into believing that understanding
interactions with others is a weakness to be avoided, much to their own
personal detriment.
Until next time (in heart and head),
Peripatetic Scribe
A very useful article, P.S. and you have hit on some valuable lessons for us in the north. We have to change but there is nobody with the charisma to show the way; all the normal channels for change have been bastardised! Good stuff,
ReplyDeleteJames, Totnes
Thanks James, you make another good point on the lack of charisma! On a personal note, see you Friday, sailing - and I will beat you!
ReplyDeleteGood commentary. To me it shows just how little is learned/taught in MBA classes regarding important people skills. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteHans, Bremen
A very interesting analysis resulting from first hand experience and thus much more valuable! Will definitely use it in my classes! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLucana
Indeed, Lucana. Many years of "people-watching" have taught me a lot!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hans. What you say is very valid. The "hard" skills are taught, but very little about the "soft" people skills. Perhaps people no longer matter???
ReplyDelete