We often hear that opposites attract and then at the same time, if in a relationship with a complete opposite than ourself, we may end up completely frustrated by what initially attracted us.

So, do opposites attract or not?

The fact is that there is always going to be some attraction to those opposite our own personality due to the simple science of polarity itself. It is also natural to seek out an area that you desire to grow yourself more in; something that is absent or again not as strong within ourselves. This is how people end up being attracted to their opposites. One may be more outgoing than another or stronger than the other. However, as one grows or does strengthen that lagging quality, they may find themselves lose interest, get more frustrated or even annoyed by the initial quality they were attracted to in their partner. This is true in both personal and professional partnerships. That doesn’t mean a partnership should be ended. Only their own paths, directions, and goals will determine that; and that my friends would be a blog all of its own.

So what if you find yourself frustrated in a professional setting and you are unable to make the choice to run the other way?

First acknowledge and realize that it is normal for us to prefer to be surrounded by like minded individuals because it is natural for most people to want to avoid confrontation. However a successful team or corporation, needs to be comprised of many opposites. It will need to have several points of views, different approaches, and different options or solutions to be able to grow production, sales, and profit. Imagine if an entire sports team only had one type of player on it. If a football team had nothing but quarterbacks; who would catch the ball or block the QB from the defense? The same is true in business. If everyone were like minded, you would have an entire group of clones and nothing would change, grow, or move forward. You would experience a level of stagnancy and eventually death. And I always say, you are either growing or dying, there is no such thing as stagnant.

The next step is to take a step backwards. Listen, observe, and appreciate that there are differences, options, and potentials that you may not have come up with. Even bad ideas or suggestions can be learned and expanded upon but at least they are a start. I often remind my Executive clients that not everyone can be a leader. If they were, the leader would no longer be needed. A leaders job is to draw out the best qualities of each follower or team member and utilize them to the fullest to grow the team into a larger success. A success that all are proud to be a part of. Acknowledging, listening to, appreciating, and executing all different options and all opposing possibilities is when history is made and legacies are created.