<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[A Life in Libraries]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://cherylbecker.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[cbecker53]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://cherylbecker.wordpress.com/author/cbecker53/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Keeping an Open&nbsp;Mind]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>I just re-read <a title="collaborative leadership" href="http://seapointcenter.com/4-steps-toward-collaborative-leadership/" target="_blank">this post</a> I had saved awhile ago.  I needed it today.  My state is <a title="Walker UW cuts" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/17/us/politics/scott-walker-university-wisconsin.html?smid=fb-share&amp;_r=0" target="_blank">deeply divided</a> politically.  My <a title="black lives " href="https://www.elephrame.com/textbook/protests" target="_blank">country</a> is deeply divided as well.  So I have to pay attention when I read things today like:</p>
<blockquote><p>If you are tired of “us vs. them” attitudes… if you are feeling frustrated or hopeless about those who don’t agree with your views… if you are concerned about the polarization in this world today… if you are waiting for leadership that unites instead of divides…</p>
<p>… the best place to start is by taking responsibility for yourself.</p></blockquote>
<p>It&#8217;s time to let go of forgone conclusions, set my viewpoints aside, and pay attention to others and their viewpoints.  This is true in all aspects of our lives: work, home, and play, as well as in our interactions with the world.</p>
<p><a href="https://cherylbecker.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/4185095125.png"><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="6276" data-permalink="https://cherylbecker.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/keeping-an-open-mind/attachment/4185095125/" data-orig-file="https://cherylbecker.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/4185095125.png" data-orig-size="1024,859" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="words" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://cherylbecker.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/4185095125.png?w=300" data-large-file="https://cherylbecker.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/4185095125.png?w=1024" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-6276" src="https://cherylbecker.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/4185095125.png?w=300&#038;h=252" alt="words " width="300" height="252" srcset="https://cherylbecker.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/4185095125.png?w=300&amp;h=252 300w, https://cherylbecker.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/4185095125.png?w=600&amp;h=504 600w, https://cherylbecker.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/4185095125.png?w=150&amp;h=126 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<p>So at your workplace, take the time to listen to others, search for points of agreement, and find ways to collaborate.</p>
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