One day, after a totally invigorating session of debate, I was asked whether I thought the input that was given in the meeting would change anything for the better. “Interesting question”, I thought to myself.

Well, to begin with, it is critical that as team members we understand our roles and consistently check ourselves against them and the boundaries that may exist in the engagement environment. Secondly, I wish to default to what I have called the “ethic of doing your best” and the fact that for one to practice it, they must internalize it. This way, it is naturalized and transcends the feeling of defeat if your effort is not taken on board.

It is an an attitude that should be part of the culture necessary to foster quality of service or product in the many endeavours that entail consultation and healthy exchange of views.

Respecting boundaries does not only apply to those that are below the decision making deck. Decision makers should also be tactful as they seek to collect information that will assist with delivery of quality decisions. Being defensive and speaking before exhaustion of input from those invited to provide input may be a disadvantageous trajectory.

Doing your best in my view, is an ethic that can only been practiced well when understood in it’s full context.