S . E . L . F . L . E . S . S .
According to best-selling author of “Servant Leadership in Action” Raj Sisodia, great leaders possess
Check out this article in Inc.com for what each means.
Conversation… what’s it about?
I encounter many ‘conversations’, and in many different contexts.
There are the conversations I promised another but only when time permits, or the conversations I have to have with another which distilled much and created space for more imaginings. There are conversations which signaled change and endings and beginnings. These conversations are imbued with so much meaning, even as we schedule them as a matter of course as part of our daily life at work or in our personal life.
I hope these conversations have been true.
No matter the context, true conversations have a common thread. True conversations are arrived at with a willingness to listen, an openness to receive and embrace, and a genuine response and where required a loving rebuke.
True conversations happen with humility and love, supportive and encouraging growth.
We hold conversations through engaging with each other authentically. Maybe that’s why we don’t just have conversations but we hold conversations – the conversation as a space, a safe space held which allows each conversation-holder to be vulnerable and to express who we are to each other. Otherwise the interaction becomes inter-reaction.
Idealistic? Perhaps. Nevertheless, it ought not detract us from trying our utmost to being such a holder of conversation. After all, we have heard of the benefits of authentic listening. And “asking the beautiful question” that says “I have heard”, a beautiful question which touches another deeply, a beautiful question which invites a genuine answer.
How beautiful and uplifting our relationships can be when we hold true conversations.
A conversation is not the same as a friendly chat, a quick ‘how-are-you’ nor lengthy IMs. Nothing ‘wrong’ or ‘bad’ about these – each serves a purpose at different moments.
It may not be possible to have true conversations all the time. It requires mindful intention and preparedness. True conversations are always filled with meaning, meaning-full.
When did you last have a true conversation? And with whom?
Live meaningfully, I say.
~ FlorenceT
“Empathy is a distributed brain process” says the research team from the University of Colorado Boulder.
What does this mean? Empathy as an experience is not located in a specific region of the brain, rather it “utilises” the whole brain.
The researchers differentiate between empathic care – where empathy generates care and assistance and occurring in the part of our brain associated with value and reward; and empathic distress – where it triggers avoidance, fear and anger, and occurring in that part of our brain dealing with mirroring.
While there is little difference person to person as to the patterns for empathic care and empathic distress, what promotes the care element?
Check this out on Medical News Today.
The New York Times reports that in 2007 a school school based in a troubled neighbourhood in San Francisco implemented a transcendental meditation program among its high school students. “Over the next three years, Visitacion Valley’s suspensions dropped by 79 percent, attendance rose to 98 percent, and students’ grade point averages rose each year.”
And a 2015 review of the program which as adopted by several other schools “showed benefits across parameters including reduced stress, increased emotional intelligence, reduced suspensions, increased attendance and increased academic performance”.
These effects of meditation are well-documented and scientifically proven. So what are we waiting for? Implement one at your workplace!
