For those who think Democracy should be
a collaborative experience.
June 9, 2008
I versus We
My husband and I both tend to be independent, and we will catch ourselves making decisions without consulting the other. He recently challenged me for excluding him from a process that I should have consulted him on. Of course, he was right. (And of course I hated that he was right.)
Your words reveal the way you think. I catch myself using the word “I” at times when I should be using the word “we.” I see it as a signal that it’s time to be more inclusive in my thinking.
I read an article years ago that said leaders who seek power to dominate rather than support to lead will substitute the word “I” for the word “we.” Statements like: “I will not yield; I will not rest; I will not relent” instead of we won’t do these things shifts power from the people to the leader.
“I” is exclusive. “We” is inclusive. An exclusive politician who knows this might use the word “we” in a tactical way. Only time can tell us that. But a leader who focuses on him or herself rather than appeal to a collective effort sends out red flags to those of us who would rather Unite and Concur.
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[...] can also read about Congressman Lee Hamilton’s advice to the consensus-starved, I versus We, dare to care, and dare to hope. Or just visit the blog and read them all at [...]
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