This is a post is in the Useful Ideas series.

When discussing contributions, it’s often important to address both the me and the we.

This can apply in many situations:

  • both accomplishments & problems
  • both personal & professional

Addressing both the “me” and the “we” is important not just because the personal and the collective are both important, but also because of the systems and relationships between them are important.

Example:

  • When I interview someone and they focus on what their group accomplished, I don’t get a useful understanding of their capabilities & skills. When I interview someone and they focus on what they personally accomplished, I wonder if they work well with others. When I interview someone who addresses both, I can better understand the whole picture of the environment they were working in and how they made an impact in that environment.