„That wasn't bad ... but it wasn't good either!“
It was another one of those seminars in which the participants were more likely to seek confirmation for their behavior. They presented their practical examples and explained, if necessary, why their behavior was appropriate and right. They were managers who spoke about goals, pressure to perform and responsibility for their employees. They were looking for additional tools to be successful.
A few tried to appear empathetic, to practice empathy superficially in the truest sense. So to awaken the appearance to achieve something. They understood the method and used a tool. However, most observers during our seminar exercises recognized a lack of authenticity, but praised the behavior as promising in practice. The motto was: "That wasn't bad ... but it wasn't good either! ... but feasible." The reaction of the recipients of this feedback ranged from pride to irritation.
A participant, who was very self-reflective and curious and showed real interest in the people with whom he came into contact, seemed rather authentic to the others. He really wanted to recognize the needs and perspectives of his conversation partners and deal with them openly. The feedback from the observers was sobering: "One shouldn't deny oneself and show interest in others to such an extent. After all, this also costs the time and energy that is needed for the actual leadership." For the protagonist, a blow in the stomach pit - that had hit. In the course of the discussion, I realized that something crucial was missing: respect.
If we accept respect as an attitude based on self-knowledge and appropriate social behavior, we can develop true empathy. It is about recognizing and accepting the diversity of the experiences of others without judgment or prejudice.
For many, efficiency is what matters, and they like to consider it as success. How effective they were, or rather, the harm they caused, is often dismissed as "someone else's problem."
In a world where speed counts, in which techniques and methods can be learned by video, or should I say, can be watched casually, true respect is the decisive factor that elevates us from beginners to experts.
Respect is the key to genuine excellence - without it, there is no real empathy.
What is your opinion?
#respect #empathy #selfknowledge #leadership #systemicscout #authenticity
