[nativeit]

> What we have here is a failure to communicate. Some [people] you just can't reach.

Knowing how to adopt an assertive mindset while maintaining your humility, and learning how to make and receive constructive criticism are key, in my opinion, to fostering an open dialogue that works to keep everyone on the same wavelength and more or less aligned with the common goals. It means everyone is comfortable with asking questions and raising concerns without fear of being met with hostility or an overly defensive posture. Issues are then addressed more quickly, before they can become entrenched problems, and without giving anyone an opportunity to stew about, nurturing resentments.

It sounds simple (and in many ways, it is) but it’s surprisingly counterintuitive, and usually requires conscious effort and practice before it becomes “normal”. Humans tend to be non-confrontational by nature, and practicing effective critique necessarily requires confrontations, albeit civil ones. I had a very small textbook from a college photography class I took that focused entirely on how to engage with criticism formally, and I believe that it made me a better photographer than any of the theoretical and practical study specific to photographs. I believe it also contributed significantly to my personal growth and professional development, as I became exponentially better at working with a team.

I tried to list some of the specific ideas that I took away from it, but it started to sound like a self-help advert, so I’ll leave it there. Learning to have hard discussions gracefully and pragmatically can be a superpower for a functional team.