Every day, I am involved in managing conflict situations, difficult discussions and unpredictable events. On a daily basis, I have had to learn how to manage the emotional aspect of conflicts before adopting a rational discourse and proposing solutions.
Recently, I wrote “when we give emotions the space they need to be felt and shared, they usually don’t jostle in our minds”.
This morning, I was trying to support the work of a colleague who was analyzing an adverse event where we identify that a mistake has been made and I told her this:
“The idea that should guide you in all your interventions is to constantly look for the answer to the following question: How can I bring out the best in each other? Correcting behaviors is easy using the stick method. Bringing out the best in others is a greater challenge.”
Looking back, I think it applies everywhere, in our professional and personal lives.
Beyond the simplistic approaches of the stick and the carrot, what people are most looking for is to feel understood in a relationship of trust that leaves room for vulnerability and expression of what is felt, whether it is beautiful or not so beautiful.
Thank you.
Martin Pham Dinh 