Blog Post Image #5: Pyrrhic Victory

1. When a disagreement arises between people, leaders must grasp the big picture, and see beyond the immediate conflict. What enables a leader to do this?-- In most cases, the persons ego enables them to grasp the big picture and see beyond the immediate conflict. They tend to think that they are right and that no other persons opinion matters, just theirs. This gets in the way a lot of the time because an argument or a conflict can never get resolved because that person refuses to be the bigger person and accept defeat or not let the conflict ruin their relationship with that person.

2. Have you ever notices that people who display wisdom are generally more patient in their demeanor? When others offend us, why is it so hard to show patience in that moment?-- I think it's hard to show patience in the moment because we don't want to admit that we are wrong. Most of us, will do anything to show that we are right because if we don't that means we have accepted defeat. I also thing young people tend to show less patience because we are usually inexperienced in these situations where an adult has usually gone through an argument before that has ended a relationship so they know in order for it to not get out of control that they need to be calm and patient.

3. Reflect on the rule of in sailing that was used as an analogy to leadership. Which vessel best describes you? -- I think the vessel that best describes me is the vessel that would be "more maneuverable" who's willing to step aside to avoid a crash. I'm not just saying that because that is the right ship to be but, I am truly this kind of ship. I tend to avoid conflict at all cost because I believe it's not worth arguing over. I have a friend who is much like the other ship who won't move out of the way. We tend to get into small arguments over the littlest insignificant things and I used to try to fight her on things and it would alway conclude in both of us getting angry and aggravated. Every time we get into one of these arguments I look back on it and think how silly it was that we cared that much. The next time we got into one of these petty arguments I decided I would be the bigger person and just let her be right because I knew it was the right thing to do and the argument would be settled more quickly and in a better way. This way we both were less irritated with each other even at the cost of one of us taking one for the team.

4. Describe some ways to avoid a Pyrrhic Victory. -- Ways in which you could avoid a Pyrrhic Victory would be to avoid  conflicts all together. This doesn't mean that you cant state your opinion but that when stating your opinion be respectful and open minded toward the other persons point of view. Like it said in the article, think about the if the issue is worth debating, what is accomplished if you win, what kind of effect this argument can have on your relationship with that person, and why you want to win so badly.

Self Assessment:

1. Have you ever won a Pyrrhic Victory? What were the consequences?

To be honest, I don't think I have ever one a Pyrrhic Victory, I tend to avoid situations that I know are going to lead in a bad direction.

2. I can relate to Fighting to save face. I tend to fight for a cause if I am in an argument. It is usually because I am super confident that I know I'm right and that the other person is wrong. It is usually for a cause that I care about because if it wasn't I would probably just let it go.