If Ever I Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth

If Ever I Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth. 

 

Gansworth's novel is a YA novel that leaves a lasting impact. A story of friendship, 70s music, and self-realization, this novel is also about overcoming racial divides. 

 

Lewis, who has grown up on a rez, befriends another lonely teen who just arrived to the United State. Lewis and George, a military base kid, bond over choir and the Beatles. They are in the 'braniacs' section in a deeply divided school.

 

For the first time, Lewis feels as if he has a friend, particularly as George's family immediately embrace him. Others, however, are not so open-minded. 

 

Lewis learns how indifferent teachers and the school administration can be when he is hassled by one of the school's primary donors. Targeted and bullied, Lewis has no choice but to drop out of school. 

 

All hope seems to have been lost as the blizzard of 1977 with surprising force. Loyalty, friendship, and forgiveness, however, find surprising ways of pushing past the blinding snow of indifference and prejudice.

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Work with Complicated People

 

                                                            Image by Robin Higgins from Pixabay

We’ve all had that narcissistic boss who plays favorites, who sends passive aggressive emails, or who forbids anyone from taking time off. We’ve all had that nosy, antagonistic, or lazy co-worker who relieves us late and does not even have an excuse. We’ve all been there; or, otherwise, movies like Office Space and shows like The Office would not resonate the way it does.

Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson and Working with Difficult People by Amy Cooper Hakim are two of many books on workplace conflict resolutions. A relatively new book addresses the topic from a fresh perspective.

How to Work with Complicated People by Ryan Leak changes the “difficult” to “complicated.” Leak, an executive coach and transformational speaker, concedes that complicated people in workplaces result in business losses. Complicated people can result in “lower morale, eroded unity and trust, lower job satisfaction.”

In spite of this, Leak does not advise trying to change or reform complicated people. Instead, he argues there are certain techniques that will allow us to deal with such people effectively. Learning how to deal with complicated people can lead to great self-awareness, and, in that way, it is a gift.

He admits that he is himself a “complicated” person and that most of us are too. He writes we are all “weird, odd, irritating or baffling to someone else.”

Avoiding complicated or problematic people rarely ends well. Changing them or trying to cancel them also does not work in our favor. So that leaves only one option left — understanding them.

Though no one should tolerate a toxic situation, Leak insists that improving strained relationships will make everyone like their job more. Complicated people also serve a purpose — they bring a unique perspective.

No one has to accept workplace abuse, yet they should make generous assumptions about their coworkers and bosses. That irritating colleague who is late may actually have a valid reason for their tardiness.

Those who seem off-putting due to their differences can actually bring value. Diverse viewpoints add value because the last we need is “groupthink” or forced consensus. He urges employees to bring healthy collaboration to the table. Having a collaborative mind will help build bridges rather than silos.

The best chapter is the last one. If all techniques fail, he urges forgiveness rather than bitterness. Even if its justified, bitterness should have an “expiration date” because ultimately hostile feelings keep us prisoner to our emotions.