“Why can’t we just work together?”

I have been in the print and broadcast media world for over 40 years, including part-time and full-time work, and the common theme wherever I’ve gone has always been the same.

Why can’t we work togther for the good of the community?

It’s a question countless municipalities and various groups have asked themselves. Needless to say, the answers have varied, depending on perceived situations or attitudes.

Often times personalities get in the way, past wrongdoings, old baggage is held onto and in the end, it ultimately hurts the very organizations are trying to help and encourage the community.

You don’t have to work hard, or look very far, to see the negative in the world, or even here locally. It’s everywhere. In all shapes and sizes.

It seemingly gets worse with each passing day in a lot of cases.

Oftentimes, the good is overlooked by many, sometimes because certain people weren’t getting what they felt were their just dues, or enough credit or kudos, for their part in making something successful.

The human ego, used in the wrong way, can be a terrible thing.

According to one source, the term “ego” is a psychological term popularized by Freud. In psychoanalytic theory, the ego is one of the three divisions of the psyche, along with the id and superego.

Another printed source says, having an ego is not inherently bad; rather, it is the nature and balance of the ego that matters.

A healthy ego contributes positively to psychological well-being, while an imbalanced ego can lead to various psychological issues.

The key is to cultivate self-awareness and humility to maintain a healthy sense of self.

That description can be both personally or professionally, in my opinion.

Perhaps most telling is an ego can lead to a lack of openness to feedback, poor collaboration, and an inability to adapt. It can hinder our ability to learn from mistakes, and limit our potential for growth.

I attended a meeting recently, mostly out of curiosity, to see what a handful of people had for a vision to help promote business and the community, to draw people to a struggling downtown, and seek collaboration from other organizations, all working together for the same goal.

It sounds nice and is a worthy thought, but red flags started going up in my mind instantly.

Name a town. There are personalities, movers and shakers, those who want to lead the charge in any special events to soak up the glory (if there is any). It’s unfortunate.

Shouldn’t the ultimate goal be to have as many people involved as possible? To do something good for a community? To work together and bring people (and their dollars) to town?

Oftentimes, last minute phone calls to vendors takes place when organizers scramble to nail down their assignments.

Plans quite often get made in short order. Last minute attempts for goods or services, all in the name of offering something positive for the community.

The ideas and plans at the meeting I attended sounded very similar. A group of people who could very well be pressed for time, to organize everything for a one-day event.

To find volunteers. To promote business. To offer a good time for a few hours.

Wouldn’t it be great if local groups could collaborate and have two special events in town in the same year? Why can’t everyone work togther, for the good of the community?

Guess I’m missing something.

Contact Dave at editor@pageone-inc.com