My mother took pride in her role as a janitor: Her floor was always spotless, the restrooms she serviced always had toilet paper and supplies, and her patients’ rooms were some of the cleanest at the hospital. When you’re speaking with someone, especially a person junior to you, give them the courtesy of your full attention and put away other devices. We live in a world that’s connected, wired and online. Praise and recognition allow others to feel valued, so praise freely, often and with integrity. This might entail writing their suggestions on pieces of paper that are collected and shared or having an anonymous online place for questions. It might mean asking them directly for their thoughts on a topic or providing other channels for them to have their voices heard. If you’re in a group meeting and notice that there are people who haven’t contributed, find ways to engage them. For example, “Can you share why you propose X to help me understand?” If you don’t agree with another person’s perspective or if poor behavior is being repeated, approach these situations from a place of inquiry, not accusation. When communicating, use phrases like, “I heard you say.” which helps to affirm you’ve heard what the other person is saying and allows them to clarify any misunderstandings. For example, “You were late for a meeting again” could be rephrased to “When you’re late to a meeting, I feel like my time isn’t valued.” Reframe conversations to speak to your observation or experience. Here are tips for communicating with kindness and validating the experiences of others:
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