Partner vs. Opponent

[Chrissy Scott]

So I understand the concept of partner vs. opponent. I really do, but even understanding it doesn't mean I apply it ever time I should. Room for growth, right? I'm good with that, I embrace it even.

So, examples of when I acted like an opponent when I should have acted like a partner:

At work - Sometims, in my position, I'm asked to do things that are not exactly part of my job description. And sometimes, when I have a lot on my plate, or when I'm just in a bad mood, I ... well, I don't wanna... The thing is, I have to realize that people are asking me for help because I know how to do something that they don't know how to do yet. Or people ask me to get the information for them because I have a relationship with the person who has the information and they have no idea how to get a hold of that person. So, sometimes I act like an opponent and I say something that implies I don't have the time or something. Basically, I squirm out of it if I can because in my head i'm saying "this is not my job." Those are instance where I should act like a partner, these are people I work with daily. I should offer to help or at least put the two people in contact. Because we might have different job descriptions, but we still work together. We can't do our jobs without the other.

Personal/Home - I can get very definsive about things sometimes. And when I get defensive, I am pretty impossible to have a conversation with. Being "defensive" even sounds like an opponent type atmosphere. But, I have a partner in myt life, and we will not always agree. Approaching the discussion on the defensive is so not productive. The word defensive goes more with argument and wiin or lose. As a partner, it's a dicussion that usually ends in a compromise.
So... I have intellectually embraced the concept, and I want to take a "partner" type of role in this world. Now to practice it. :)