It is summer time. And while I tend to slow down with writing inspirational blogs during the break, I found myself thinking about a topic to write about while sitting in the movie theater with my niece, as we watched Disney and Pixar’s Elemental.
Elemental
If you have not had a chance to see it yet, I want to give you the gist of the story. Disney’s website best explains that the “film [is] set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in” (Disney). Ember is obviously a part of the fire element and tends to have a passion inside of her that can sometimes cause bursts of anger because she does not let out her feelings appropriately. Whereas Wade is a part of the water element and is probably overly emotional and can cry at the drop of a hat.
Elements of Opposing Partners
The premise of the film got me thinking. Have you ever wondered why some people seem to work so well together despite having very different personalities, skills, or opinions? Here are some examples of how this works in practice.
First, opposites can complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. For example, if one person is good at planning and organizing, and the other is good at improvising and adapting, they can balance each other out and handle different situations effectively. They can also learn from each other and improve their own skills. An example of this is a project manager who works with a graphic designer. The project manager can keep track of the deadlines, budget, and scope of the project, while the graphic designer can create eye-catching and original designs that suit the client’s needs.
Second, opposites can challenge each other to grow and innovate. For example, if one person is more conservative and cautious, and the other is more adventurous and risk-taking, they can push each other out of their comfort zones and explore new possibilities. They can also stimulate each other’s creativity and curiosity by exposing them to different perspectives and ideas. We often see this as friendships with a colleague at work or in observation of our students being social. You might be someone who always follows the rules no matter what (maybe out of fear of getting in trouble) where you lean on your colleague next door who sometimes pushes the boundaries because it is what they think is best for their students. When they are worried about doing something that might get them in trouble, they come to you for advice and guidance, while your colleague can inspire you to think outside the box and try new things.
Third, opposites can create a dynamic and diverse work environment. For example, if one person is more introverted and quiet, and the other is more extroverted and outgoing, they can bring different energy and vibes to the work space. They can also attract and connect with different types of colleagues, parents, and students. An example of this is a school principal who is flexible and spontaneous but pairs up with an assistant principal who is strict and organized. The principal creates great community and business partnerships for the school, while the assistant principal can provide support and agendas for school functions and marketing to keep those partnerships after their first initial development.
Force of Nature
In some countries, the movie Elemental is subtitled with Force of Nature. I find that interesting because the connotation is that there is power when two opposition forces are put together. It all depends on how we choose to work with it, either for or against. I tend to find hope in humanity that we can find ways to work together and model to our students and colleagues that partnering with someone who has opposing viewpoints or opposite strengths can only make us see potential in something that otherwise would have been undiscovered.
These are just some of the reasons why opposites attract in a work space to get the job done, and some examples of how this works in practice. Of course, this does not mean that opposites always get along or that they do not need to communicate and compromise. But it does mean that opposites can offer a lot of value and potential to each other and to the work they do. So next time you encounter someone who is very different from you in the work space, don’t be afraid to embrace the difference and see what you can achieve together!
See You Real Soon,
Erin
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