Reflection 37: Fight for Something Final or the Right to Disagree?

The following two lines are from Leonard Cohen’s posthumous 2019 song Happens to the Heart:

“I was handy with a rifle, my father’s 303

I fought for something final, not the right to disagree.”

These lines have been playing lately in a certain person’s Tesla as he toured various client sites. In the moments between engagements, planning, meetings, bike rides and site tours, the lyrics have sat against the backdrop of business relationships and the world of compliance.

Think of them as a pattern‑recognition test; one we can all try for ourselves:

Something Final:

• People over profit
• Safety always
• Integrity
• Honesty
• Purpose

Right to Disagree:

• Ego
• Being right
• Tradition
• Credit
• Opinion

How did you do?

It is difficult to balance the two at times; conflicting pressures can blur the lines. This is where strong governance and leadership are required: to fight for something final!

This week has been exactly this model for the team as they went about their duties assisting various clients in several geographical regions.

Let’s dive in!

Monday — Site Tours

Two of the team were out in opposing directions, Salisbury and Portsmouth, carrying out site compliance tours on two very different styles and purposes of building, yet for the same end: improvements by refurbishment.

We also continued our review and update of safe operating procedures for a client’s manufacturing process.

Tuesday — Team Day & CDM

Following an overnight in Oxfordshire, Lee was on site at 7am, prepared to assist the team with their bi‑weekly progress meeting and site compliance tour. There were a number of issues from the “final” side of the list that were appropriate for the day.

We also helped a client with our regular CDM check‑in, offering advice and guidance as the day developed.

Wednesday — Back in the Training Room

Leon was back at MSA delivering Day One of an SMSTS Refresher course. Hard facts are delivered on this course; another of our final positions worth fighting over.

Lee was on his sojourn across the counties, heading to Buckinghamshire for two compliance tours of heritage projects: one in its early phases to stabilise the structure, the other now being closed up with decoration works underway. Both have unique challenges that require focus and integrity to inform the decision‑making process.

We also put the final touches to the revised safe operating procedures ahead of peer review. This aspect is non‑negotiable for this type of commitment; it assures the quality of advice and service.

Thursday — Adaptability

Back at base for Lee and a client cancellation. This was welcome and gave space to reflect on the past two days away from the office and to promptly deal with the actions required from those productive days. Reports were written and actions assigned.

Leon was back in the classroom for the second and final day of the SMSTS refresher course. Well done, Leon, the delegates, and thank you, MSA.

Friday — LCS Team Catch Up

The team came together from their various locations in a series of meetings. This gave the opportunity to share concerns and celebrate the wins as a group. We also tied up any loose ends so that they were not carried into the next week. We prepared for the week ahead by careful planning, but with adaptability to alter course if needed.

Closing thought — Fight for Something Final or the Right to Disagree?

No, really, how did you do?

We know which side of the line we were on this week: people over profit, safety over ego, integrity over tradition, honesty over credit, purpose over opinion. Those “final” positions are not just nice ideas; they are the non‑negotiables that keep sites safe, clients protected and teams able to sleep at night.

Leonard Cohen’s lines land hard in a compliance world. It is tempting to fight for the right to disagree, to win the argument, to protect our status or our shortcut. But the work that matters is fought for something final; a standard, a principle, a duty of care that does not bend when the programme tightens or the budget bites.

Strong governance and leadership do not remove the tension between the two potentially competing aspects; they make sure we choose the right side when it counts. This week, across multiple counties and projects, that choice showed up in every tour, every CDM check‑in, every SOP review and every classroom session.

So ask yourself, as you plan next week: when pressure builds, what are you actually fighting for; something final, or just the right to disagree?