Supporting teams requires leaders to prioritize self-care by regularly slowing down and making time for reflection. Slowing down and reflecting allow you to get to know yourself and your needs, which may mean engaging in regular meditation, practicing self-compassion, journaling, and seeking ongoing peer support. The goal is to connect with yourself first and more fully with others.
Four simple practices: attuning, wondering, following, and holding promote instant connection, compassionate presence, active listening, and creative actions.
Attuning – being present in the moment by shutting out distractions and focusing on yourself and the person in front of you. Tuning in helps us to notice things about ourselves and others that we otherwise might miss, leading to greater human connection.
Wondering – practicing curiosity and genuine interest in what’s happening in yourself and others, Asking, “How are you…really? What do you need?” Wondering prevents jumping to conclusions or assumptions.
Following - quiet listening, sitting with what you hear or notice. Being led in the moment and allowing yourself or others to experience emotions while respecting and acknowledging them.
Holding – creating a safe space in which a person experiences feeling heard or seen. Following through with what we said we would do.
These relational skills involve slowing down, avoiding jumping in with answers, and putting aside the list of tasks. It’s important to listen, be curious, and be willing to look underneath the content of conversation to uncover the real needs of the person in front of you.
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