❤️🔥 What happens when someone on your team says something doesn’t feel right to them, but it seems fine to you? Do you dismiss it, or do you listen?
Leadership isn’t about always being right; it’s about trusting the diverse experiences of others, even when they differ from your own.
For example, if someone says, “The lights are too bright,” it doesn’t matter if you’re comfortable with the lighting; it’s their experience that matters. Instead of brushing it off, this is an opportunity to show empathy and build trust.
Here’s how to approach these moments with care:
💚 Pause and listen.
Before jumping to conclusions, listen with curiosity. Their perspective may highlight something you hadn’t noticed or experienced yourself.
💚 Validate their feelings.
You don’t have to agree with their perspective to acknowledge it. A simple, “I hear you, and I want to understand more,” goes a long way.
💚 Refrain from “right-fighting.”
Trying to prove someone wrong about their own experience doesn’t build trust —> it erodes it. Focus on resolving the issue rather than winning the argument.
💚 Co-create solutions.
Ask, “How can we address this together?” This invites collaboration and ensures everyone’s needs are taken into account.
🧡 We’re all human. I get this wrong sometimes too! I’ll admit, I can get passionate about my perspective especially on topics I love, so much so that I might unintentionally dismiss someone else’s. Don’t worry, when you notice this in yourself, you can step away, reflect, and re-center the conversation around curiosity and collaboration. It’s never too late to start showing more empathy toward others.
❤️🔥💚🔥🔥🔥🔥🐉
Leadership is about seeing through the eyes of your team. By trusting their experiences, you build an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.
💬 Have you ever faced a situation where someone’s experience surprised you? How did you handle it? Let’s share strategies for building trust through understanding.
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