In the role of leadership it is certainly important to know when and how to affirm the efforts and achievements of those we serve. Doing so provides a means of honoring those who are committed to the mission and the team.
The key is to know that affirmation is “confirming the truth or the validity of an action.” Therefore the key is to be observant and to “catch people doing something right” – and then to point it out.
A few weeks ago I began writing in this email and blog on the topic of conflict resolution, indicating that those who are willing to face and resolve conflict are “Peace-Makers;” whereas those who avoid it and side-step the difficulty of working through the conflict could be categorized as “peace-keepers” - because they would rather keep the virtual “peace” (which is in contrast to actually resolving the underlying issues that created the conflict).
Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to partner in several situations where there has been a need to resolve conflict. As mentioned previously, in each of these matters I have been in an objective third-party role, and not directly involved in the conflict.
Last week I mentioned that over the past few months I have had the opportunity to partner in several situations where there has been a need to resolve conflict. Fortunately, in each of these matters I have been in an objective third-party role, and not directly involved in the conflict.
Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to partner in several situations where there has been a need to resolve conflict. Not an easy task. Also not exactly "fun."
Fortunately, in each of these matters I have been in an objective third-party role, and not directly involved in the conflict - although when you wade in, even by invitation, you often get hit with some of the over-spray.
As mentioned last week, I have received an unusually high response from readers during the last several weeks’ Leadership Notes regarding the topic, “listening.” As a result of the interest and ongoing discussions, this week I am providing a sample of the feedback and the insights each affirms. Each of the comments are edited for length.
I received an unusually high response from readers of last week’s Leadership Notes regarding the topic, “listening.” That content was based on several of my recent observations (click here to read). As a result of the interest and ongoing discussions, this week I am continuing the conversation.
Of particular note in the responses was reference to the following paragraph:
In last week's Leadership notes I wrote for the second week in a row to once again encourage each of us to remember those impacted by the mudslide that occurred in Oso, Washington - and to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
(pictured above is Washington State Patrol Senior Chaplain Mike Neil with First Responders at the Oso mudslide recovery location)
