It starts with you
The following are some basic ideas on how to navigate and engage with others.
More to come...
Breathe……..
Take a minute to breathe and prepare to be open to your conversation.
Sometimes it takes a moment to be ready to hear or engage with others that are coming from a very different place.
Our breathing helps regulate us and can assist us from becoming overly reactive or caught up in our fight/flight responses.
Listen
Prepare to be attentive and open to what the other is going to share. This is not a time for rebuttal or to set the other up for debate. Acknowledge that you are hearing them.
Be aware of yourself
Are you physically open? Use a softer tone and make sure to have good eye contact. This is your physical way of conveying that your are not a threat and are open to what others have to say.
VAlidate, Validate, Validate
Validation is just an acknowledgement that we hear the other. It’s an opportunity to utilize empathy for the other’s position and feelings.
You may not agree or even understand what’s happening but your ability to validate still exists.
E.g., “I can see why this is importanat to you.”
or “That sounds really frustrating.”
Be Curious
Ask genuine questions about what inspires the other’s thoughts and feelings. Explore with real wonder how it came to be that the person you are engaged with sees the world or topic in this unique way.
Some simple tools to bridge the gap and…
Resist The Divide.
It is our hope that by taking the risk to reach out and utilize disarming communication skills we allow others to be heard and seen. This in turn can inspire understanding, compassion and ultimately connection.