The middle ground can be the toughest

Somewhere between the lands of "hardball" and "just get it done" lies middle ground.

In the land of "hardball," the answer is usually "no." There is a harsh, arrogant, cold, legalistic approach to dealing with customers and situations. No warm fuzzies live here.

Far away in "just get it done," you hear things like "yes" and "sure" and "no problem." There's a tireless,  order-taking atmosphere that will eventually wear down the inhabitants.

The area in-between is the toughest. In middle ground, you have to deal with tough situations, yet still serve the customer or fellow employee. You're pressured to think, to really think.

People will flock to the extremes of "hardball" or "get it done" because they require less thinking and less ownership. But in middle ground, you can find purpose and quite often, respect.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
http://www.labov.com/