Advice for transforming leadership, culture, Curiosity, and communication from Beth Wonson
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Do you ever walk away from a conversation wondering, “What happened? Why did I behave like that?” If you are human, it is likely you have been surprised by your own behavior. Maybe you lashed out at someone, or blamed them harshly, or even got mad and stormed off. It happens to all of us from time to time, when we react based on what I refer to as an emotional hotspot.
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An Uncomfortable Practice for Me
It has become disturbingly normal to dismiss and disconnect from people with whom we don’t agree. While this choice may feel comfortable in the short-term, it erodes our ability to thrive and survive as individuals and collectively. This will have a long-term negative impact on our society.
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Your Words Have Power
I was a teacher-in-training in a high school English class. It wasn’t just any class but a class for students with emotional and behavioral challenges which prevented them from success in mainstream classes. I watched as all the previously raised hands were lowered and students tried to become invisible. She became exasperated and proceeded to tell them her perspective. Previously curious eyes now glazed over.
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Do you see what you’re planning?
Whatever you’re thinking about is literally like planning a future event. When you’re worrying, you are planning. When you are appreciating, you are planning. What are you planning?
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Not sleeping?
Sleep is not a character trait. It is something we are born with the ability to do. Not because it is a luxury or a reward. Sleep is as vital as drinking water, eating, or even breathing. It is when your mind and body do their work to repair, nourish, and grow. Stop thinking about it and just sleep.
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The Squeeze is Real
Between companies trying to lure employees back to the office and the current difficulty in recruiting and retaining employees, the rising cost of gasoline is not helping out. Many of my clients are trying to find creative ways to help employees reduce the financial burden of commuting to the office as the price of gas continues to go up.
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Being Comfortable with Discomfort
Putting myself out there for feedback is uncomfortable, but the more you do it, the more comfortable it becomes. And now here I am again feeling a little uncomfortable. But this time, I didn’t wait for my team to push me, I initiated getting the feedback.
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Toxic Positivity
Workplace culture is made up of how employees treat each other in terms of willingness to be honest and kind in communication, willingness to hold themself and each other accountable, the behavioral norms we agree to, and the ability to have healthy conflict.
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Wanting to Change Someone’s Behavior
“Lorinda” came to talk to me about a problem she was having with her boss. Just in the retelling of the story, she experienced the activation of an emotional hotspot. I gently asked open ended questions to help sort out the facts from assumptions, fears, projections, and emotions. There were a few times when her body language conveyed what I interpreted as frustration and anger.
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Evolution of Communication
How communication has evolved over the past several decades is creating a dangerous trajectory for our human existence. Working against us is our brain’s innate desire to protect us from what it perceives as threats to our beliefs, values, and sense of self. This instinct protected us back in the days when the saber tooth tiger was trying to eat our babies. In today’s world, the majority of these threats are psychological not physical.
Leveling up Leadership and Culture Through Healthy and Candid Communication
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