Opinion: The convention center: We aren’t there – yet

SBJ file

Don Harkey

Imagine you are entering the dating scene. You go to an event and you meet an amazing person who checks all your boxes. After five minutes, you are vibing with this person so much that you propose marriage. 

How do you think the other person would react? Even if they agree, do you think this is a good way to start a relationship?

Let’s try another example.

You have a disagreement with one of your best friends for many years. It’s not a minor disagreement. It’s a significant disagreement that has eroded your trust in them and their trust in you. You haven’t spoken in a couple of years when you run into them at a coffee shop. At first, the conversation is awkward, but then one of you makes a quick joke and you both laugh. Suddenly, you ask your old friend to loan you some money. 

How do you think your friend would react? Even if they gave you the money, do you think the relationship is back on track?

This is fun. One more example. 

Let’s say you are a city that is trying to move from being a big town to a small city. You and the citizens have a long history of working together and solving problems. Unfortunately, in recent years, the relationship has soured for many reasons. Maybe it is national politics or COVID or past leadership decisions or a combination of all those things. The citizens no longer seem to trust the city and push back on several development opportunities. The city meets the citizens and asks them what they want. Then, suddenly, the city tells the citizens that they need a convention center. 

How would you react if you were the citizen? Even if you reluctantly agreed, do you think it will be as successful as it could be?

Springfield played out the last scenario and found out the answer. Twice. 

In the first scenario, the potential couple might really be perfect for each other. In the second scenario, maybe you really needed the money and your friend could spare it. In the last scenario, maybe a convention center would really help the city and the citizens. All of this might be true, but what is also true is that the relationships in each scenario weren’t “there yet.” 

Springfield just got a new mayor and a new city manager. I’ve spoken with both of these leaders and I’m confident they are really great choices who will work hard to do what is right for Springfield. 

At the same time, I really believe in the people of Springfield. I’ve seen what we can do when we come together. We know how to collaborate, solve problems and do great things together. 

But let’s face it, over the past few years, the relationship hasn’t been the best. I believe it is getting better. I also believe that Springfield jumped the gun because there was an opportunity to bring new resources to help our community forward. Unfortunately, the proposal happened before the trust was rebuilt.  

Fortunately, that trust can still be built. It can be built by listening to each other and collaborating to solve problems. When you are building a relationship, you don’t start with the big, hard things first. 

That couple probably should go out on some dates. They should get to know each other. They should find something they disagree with and see if they can agree to disagree. 

Those friends should probably start hanging out again. Maybe they can go grab a drink or a bite or play a round of golf. They should start small and rebuild the relationship before they get into bigger things. 

Our city and our citizens need to start slowly. We should hang out more. We should listen to each other more. We should solve some smaller problems first. We should expand our circles of influence. 

The convention center moment isn’t a failure. It’s a moment that tells us where our relationship really is. 

I want you to meet my mom. No? OK, that’s cool. I just really like you. 

Please lend me money. No? That makes sense. I shouldn’t have imposed. I’m just excited to have you as a friend again. 

Let’s build a $175 million convention center. No? I understand. We aren’t there yet.   

But someday we hope to be. 

For now, let’s get to know each other and build trust. Let’s listen, prioritize and find some wins. Let’s remember that we all live or work here in this place together. Let’s not be a town that says “yes” or “no” to everything, but rather a place where we can talk, argue, prioritize, collaborate and then act boldly. 

Maybe then we will build a $500 million convention center and attract another professional sports team and maybe, if we dare to dream, finally land that P.F. Chang’s we’ve always wanted.

Don Harkey is the owner and CEO of People Centric Consulting Group LLC. He can be reached at donharkey@peopleccg.com.