The Layer Cake
People tend to look down not Up! This is true when we are invited to examine the dynamics of a team or a department that is showing signs of travelling poorly. Poor communication, Poor behaviours, Conflict, People not working as a team... These are scenarios that are familiar to us.
“Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters. Expect to be surprised. Treasure curiosity more than certainty. Real listening always brings people closer. Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world.”
— Margaret Wheatley, Turning to One Another
When your Concern touches on another’s Shame
What happens when you ask someone you are concerned about at work, ‘Are you OK?’ and the response comes back, ‘I’m fine!’ in a tone that feels like a door has been closed in your face. The question How are you? How are you feeling? can result in a door being closed leaving you feeling awkward and less inspired to broach the subject again – despite all the sincerity and discretion in the world.
How hard is it to change workplace culture
Many people who inherit a team, a department or an organisation have been heard to say, We need to change the culture here. But how easy is that to do? There is tons of research out there that culture change programs mostly fail.
Here’s to the bridge-builders, the hand-holders, the light-bringers, those extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world. They are the unsung heroes in a world at war with itself. They are the whisperers of hope that peace is possible. Look for them in this present darkness. Light your candle with their flame. And then go. Build bridges. Hold hands. Bring light to a dark and desperate world. Be the hero you are looking for. Peace is possible. It begins with us.
- L.R. Knost
When I finished walking the Camino the first time, a lot of people who caught up with me wanted to know if it changed my life
“Did you find true happiness, a deeper calm…. did you realign your life with your higher self?”
I replied that yes it did change my life. After walking for more than 1000km with a heavy backpack, I discovered I no longer enjoyed walking.
“We must also acknowledge that changing the way employees think and act by asking them to think and act differently is a fool’s errand. It will never result in real change. It’s no wonder that most change programs fail.”
- Pia Lauritzen