Beware of Anti-Communicators

I am going to make the assumption that the leadership of our country is comprised of grown-ups. Further, I am going to go out on a limb and believe that the majority of these grown-ups are mature and responsible and go into each day with the notion of wanting to do the right thing in all they say and do. After all, each of these men and women hold important positions of power in which they represents thousands and, in some cases, millions of people. With these beliefs of mine in-place, this is why I am having trouble understanding the behavior of these adults as they currently debate whether to raise our nation's debt limit. Over the past month or so, since this debate has intensified, we have seen a number of these grown-ups participate in name calling and lying and some have even walked out of the conversations. And all this has occurred in a climate in which the participants agree the debt limit should be raised!

As a result, following this debate is like watching an episode of "The Twilight Zone." These so-called leaders have the important responsibility of ensuring that our government continues to function in order to meet the many vital obligations it has to its citizens. Yet a number of them are engaging in behavior that that is negative and destructive. Do they really believe they are impressing any one? Do they really believe they are helping advance the debate or are serving our nation adequately when they purposefully try to erode the dialog between leaders of both or our nation's political parties? My guess is the ones engaged in what I consider to be destructive behavior do not see their actions in the same way I do. In fact, they probably feel their actions are justified. How sad.

Communication-wise, there is nothing worse for the process than when participants devote their energies toward undermining good-faith efforts. Sure, people disagree. Without question, people bring different perspectives to the table. That is the norm. But what is maddening to watch is when some of those same people are so blinded by their own perspectives that they choose to harm the good-faith communicating and consensus building in which others are engaged. Perhaps this is one more reminder that just because a person holds a position of authority or heavy responsibility does not mean they are particularly good at communicating. In fact, they could even be an anti-communicator. That kind of person does not do any one any good.