Great Morning Team!
If your feet haven’t quite touched the ground just yet from the incredible experience at Better Together 2024, you’re not alone! We truly appreciate all the wonderful feedback we have received from the event! It was wonderful to hear, see and FEEL all the connections we have made together. Bit by bit, we are building relationships and deepening our trust with each other, which is foundational for the safe spaces we are striving to create in our day-to-day work.
In my research, I came across this simple, yet thought-provoking post from Adam Grant, Science Author and Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania:
It brought me back to the roots of why relationships and a foundation of trust are vital to everything we do. When we cultivate meaningful relationships with others, we begin to create safe spaces for real, honest, and sometimes tough, but respectful conversations to emerge. It is in these conversations’ we experience greater self-awareness, enhancing our own personal and professional growth, and innovation begins to occur. We start to eliminate silence and replace it with courage to speak up. Our ideas become as diversified as the unique individuals we are, and eliminate groupthink. We get to the truth and the heart of matters fast, and therefore move forward faster in our work. It’s one of the many reasons E&I is investing in us all, providing us with the training in skillful & effective communication. As we continue our training with the No Fault Formula communication model, we will discover techniques to enhance our relationships, increase safety with each other, and improve our ability and comfortability to speak up with respectful candor. Perhaps each of us will discover in time that providing feedback will become easier, especially when we see it as an ultimate expression of care, genuinely wanting to see others grow and succeed. The same could be said for our willingness to work through any conflicts together. Will it be easy? Likely not. Will we fumble and make mistakes? Of course we will. Though it is our culture, one of great generosity, meaningful relationships, and deep respect for each other that will remain our guiding principles to enable us to learn and grow. Better Together. 😊
What do you think of Grant’s statement above? Do you agree or disagree? Why, or why not? We would love to hear your thoughts!
Wishing you all a Better We, Better Week! 😊
Lori Beth
2 comments
Love it! With so much change happening in education and within E&I, (and happening fast) we have to question when we do not know or understand something! I know it is hard. It is hard for me as well to ask a question when I think everyone else knows the answer and I do not. BUT, when our culture allows for it and welcomes it, it is easier.
Thanks for sharing this. It is a reminder for me personally!
I do agree with Adam’s statement above, but I also think you can have a culture of politeness and integrity. It is a balance however that I believe takes practice. I think we are on a great path with both! Thanks for the great article, Lori Beth!