From Comfortable Complacency to the Courage of Conflict

Most of us avoid conflict – maybe we have been conditioned to or maybe wired to, neuroscience has answers for both sides. Lately, however it seems more and more choosing to be uncomfortable is the best choice to make, for the sake of humanity and the planet.

I was recently on a flight from Wellington to Auckland when a couple, in row one, the exit row, refused to listen and watch the safety demonstration. On the bigger aeroplanes, the demonstration is usually shown on the overhead screens, however there is no screen in row one, next to the door and one of the cabin crew is required to do a manual demo for the 3 passengers in that row.  Often it feels a bit awkward and usually the people in that row usually have a bit of fun with the attendant.

Personally, I have heard and seen the demonstration more that 2000 times (those who know about my flight log book I’m up to 2104 flights at the time of writing this J.) I don’t always pay full attention to the safety talk, however I respect that it is an important part of ensuring passengers are safe in the air and always pay attention in the exit row and when a crew member is addressing me personally.

To sit in an exit row, before you even enter the plane you will be asked at least twice, if you are willing and able to help in an emergency. Once on the plane you are asked again. Part of the verbal safety notice that is read out on every flight says, “Civil Aviation requires all passengers to comply with all safety notices and instructions from the crew.”

On this day, two people sitting in the front row did not pay attention to the demonstration, did not acknowledge the crew member doing the demonstration just for them, and were asked three times by the flight inservice manager to put down their book and phone and pay attention as they were in an emergency row. Three times they looked up for 2 seconds and continued ignoring the crew member. Eventually they were escorted off the plane by police.

Now this article in not about these two people – it is about the Inservice Flight Manager. She chose to do the right thing, for the sake of both the passengers safety and her crew. It would have been easy to be complacent and ignore the rude behaviour and it took courage to uphold the rules and values of Air New Zealand.

Right now, in the world, we are being bombarded with opportunities to choose complacency and remain blissfully comfortable or choose courage and conflict – to be uncomfortable and do the right thing, for the greater good.

This is evident with issues such as parenting, developing workplace culture, health & wellbeing, climate change… the list goes on…

It is so much easier to sit back and wait for everyone else to do something. In fact it is mostly comfortable and convenient to do so. Years ago, colleague and friend, Tony Ryan, re-explained the word “everyone” and suggested that it means ‘every’ – ‘one’ – personal responsibility and ownership – not waiting for others, but taking action and if every ‘one’ person did this, mass change would occur.

In her impassioned, vulnerable and powerful TED talk, Monica Lewinsky talks about choosing to be a bystander or an upstander. She advocates avoiding bystander apathy and upholding the values of what you know to be right, even in the face of ridicule and awkwardness – being an upstander.

It is so easy to get complacent with rules. Malcolm Gladwell writes about this as the Broken Window Syndrome. When no-one says anything, it is assumed no-one cares and the behaviour increases. If no-one says anything about the incorrect uniform a student is wearing, it is assumed that it must be acceptable. When a student doesn’t bring their notice for the trip back by the deadline and still goes on the trip, the bigger message is deadlines mean very little. If no-one deals with the continual lateness of a colleague to meetings, it starts to become acceptable for others to be late. If no-one points out the use of convenient coffee capsules in the coffee machine are causing a problem to the environment, the usage continues and our land fills increase with non-degradable waste.

Again, look at the word “no-one.” Be the ‘one’ who chooses the courage of conflict in the best interests of others.

Choosing the courage of conflict, does not mean being a bully, hurting other people’s feelings or intimidating people with your agenda. Choosing to be an upstander involves empathy and compassion.

It is about setting boundaries for our lives and others and as the late Celia Lashlie promoted, holding those boundaries tight.

How might you do this in your classroom, home and life? What are the values which you hold true and strong and are willing to feel uncomfortable to uphold?

Finally, I would like to applaud the Air New Zealand Inservice Flight Manager. Her courage to do the right thing, uphold the company’s values and risk conflict, possible humiliation and the wrath of the full passenger manifest to be an Upstander was admirable.

As my High School motto said, Ake Ake Kia Kaha. Forever and ever be strong.

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Published on Friday, May 24th, 2019, under Inspiration, Life lessons, Rules

Karen Tui Boyes is a champion for Life Long Learning across nations, industries and organisations. Winner of the NZ Educator of the Year 2017 and 2014 and the NZ Speaker of the Year award in 2013 & 2019, Karen is a sought after speaker who continually gets rave reviews from audiences around the world. Her dynamic style and highly informative content—which turns the latest educational research into easy-to-implement strategies and techniques — sets her apart from others in her field.

13 Responses to “From Comfortable Complacency to the Courage of Conflict”

  1. Melinda Bolton says:

    Very timely reminder to stand up for your beliefs. You can do this in a positive way of course. It is so easy in our busy lives to ignore behaviours and become complacent. I love the Brene Brown quotes 🙂

  2. Ross Kennedy says:

    Good stuff Karen! Despite our differences over the years I’m in full admiration of your insightfulness and your ability to relate to the daily challenges facing those of us working in schools.
    Well done !

  3. Judith Cowley says:

    Thank you for this Karen. Your truth is a fresh breath of air! I have been working in a new workplace where the norm is racist and sexist jokes, and lack of care for the environment. I have been a lonely warrior, standing up against what I know is wrong. I see that I am such a thorn in their side but slowly and surely there has been change. I had to keep saying to myself, “Be the change you want to see in the World”
    And I love Brene Brown too. I like her talk on Courage and Vulnerability.

  4. Lovely article and so very true. I’ve often stood up for beliefs and values. It takes more time and energy to do so though the opposite as you say is complacency and condoning and just keeping quiet. Making ripples and standing true to our cakes is so important. It does indeed take courage.

  5. Susan Spelic says:

    Hi Karen,

    Thanks for sharing how your flight manager dealt with an all too common scenario, with common sense and assertive grit!
    (Loud applause!)

    The key word is RESPECT. Being an upstander is important when others are being disrespected. Your story describes egotistical people who have complete disregard for the safety of others. Imagine being so arrogant as to ignore the pleas of the attendant!

    As a bystander, it’s often easier to hide and pretend, waiting for the anxiety to pass. Saying our truth, albeit in discomfort, is the harder but best way to go, if other’s rights are to be upheld. I will use your story in class. Thank you!

  6. Maria Gillard says:

    Thanks Karen- I loved this article- It was really reassuring and timely right now for me. I have trouble leaning in and having those conversations- it’s a reminder why I need too!
    Brene Brown too is a hero- one day I would love to meet her!

  7. Emma says:

    I have just discovered your blog and have enjoyed reading your posts. Very inspirational thoughts!

  8. Jen Tyson says:

    Great article Karen, and as you know right up my alley, well written and a great example of choosing to be an up stander!

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