Workplace Assessment on Resentment

Do you trust the people you work with? Do they trust you? In his book, "Overcoming The Five Dysfunctions of a Team," top business guru Patrick Lencioni points out that "The true measure of a team is that it accomplishes the results that it sets out to achieve." In accomplishing achieved-results, Lencioni says that "no quality or characteristic is more important than trust....Unfortunately, there is probably no quality or characteristic that is as rare as trust either."

Why so rare and important? "Team members who trust one another learn to be comfortable being open, even exposed, to one another around their failures, weaknesses, even fears," notes Lencioni. "Vulnerability-based trust is predicated on the simple--and practical--idea that people who aren't afraid to admit the truth about themselves are not going to engage in the kind of political behavior that wastes everyone's time and energy." On the contrary, people who trust one another are willing to say what they really think without fear of backlash or ridicule. That leads to workers "who are not afraid to engage in passionate dialogue around issues and decsions that are key to the organization's success."

Grievances (real or imagined) usually cause anger. Unresolved anger leads to resentment, which, in turn, kills trust, peace and productivity at work. Here is a quick questionnaire I've developed to help you assess the effects of misplaced anger and resentment at work: Click here to take it online, and I will send a copy of the results once they are tabulated.

FORGIVENESS FREEDOM is a blog devoted to exploring effective ways to understand conflict, and restore & reinforce positive connections.