When someone does something differently than you would, how do you react?

Our reader poll today asks: When someone does something differently than you would, how do you react?

• I encourage people to try ways different than the way I would do something. 39.6%
• I accept their way and try to learn new approaches. 50.9%
• I accept their way but still think mine was better. 8.3%
• I tell them they should have done it my way. 1.2%

Different isn’t wrong. The vast majority of respondents are open and encouraging of doing things differently than they’d do it themselves. For those who are challenged by seeing someone do something differently, you’re missing an opportunity to grow (and possibly do things better than you ordinarily would). When you have that moment of “I wouldn’t do it like that…” please pause, inquire, and seek to understand why they’re doing things differently. They might see risks or opportunities you’re not aware of. You might learn something new. You might help your organization perform better. You owe it to yourself and your colleagues to constantly learn new ways of doing things.

Do you agree with these poll results? Let us know in the comments below!

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

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These results were originally a SmartPulse poll in SmartBrief on Leadership which tracks feedback from more than 240,000 business leaders. Get smarter on leadership and sign up for the SmartBrief on Leadership e-newsletter.