The Right Kind of Glue

Have you noticed that lately it is hard to find good glue. By that I mean something that happens or is said that brings people together and leads them to actually remain together. Over the past few days much has been written and said about the late John McCain, a United State Senator of long standing from Arizona. McCain, a former Presidential candidate and decorated war hero, passed away. Since then, politicians from both major political parties have been coming together to talk about McCain, the man, and McCain, the public servant. This sad event represents an example of a glue that brings people together.

The question, however, is whether this particular glue is strong enough to keep people together. Will it serve as a catalyst to lead them to embrace and build on all that they have in common? The dreamer in me very much wants that to happen. The realist in me, unfortunately, does not see that occurring. What would it take to lead to the result that I and so many others long for? At this point, I am not sure. But what I do know is that for there to be greater harmony in society, then there must be better communication. People must talk "with" rather than "at." If that happens, then, yes, perhaps McCain's death could be the glue we have been waiting for.

Communicating effectively is often about taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves unexpectedly or without warning. McCain's passing is such an opportunity. As part of the celebration of this man and his life, communicators from both of the political spectrum need to keep stressing the message of ongoing collaboration. If points such as this are left unsaid, then another opportunity will be lost. Gone. From my perspective, such a scenario would definitely not be the first time. I wonder how many missed opportunities do we as a society have before they are all used up?  Whatever the answer, one thing for sure is we need to keep shopping for the right kind of glue.