Building Trusting Relationships by Modeling Growth - Part 2

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Listen with deep curiosity and take ownership.

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In my work, I am often invited to facilitate conversations - sometimes because the meeting’s sponsor anticipates the conversation will be complex or possibly contentious -other times after communication has broken down.  In an effort to build trust and model continuous learning, I listen for and gather multiple people's perspectives about a given event or conversation.  I am of the most value to others when I actively listen and maintain a deeply curious mindset.  I also am mindful to reserve judgment, remain objective, be aware of my own biases, and make certain I know what the parties value most, in terms of a resolution or an outcome. Sometimes I have to work hard to let go of a specific eventual outcome that I prefer.

 In every situation and conversation in life I have very few (but sometimes very challenging) “to-dos”.
 It’s my responsibility to take ownership for:

• the assumptions I make
• the values I hold
• the thoughts I create
• the emotions I experience and
• the way I behave

 Sometimes that’s easy, other times it requires a lot of effort to stay fully connected to my intentions.