Connect Before You Correct

Connect Before You Correct

Connection is the Foundation for Communication.

It is an art form to receive someone fully before offering an opinion that counters their own.

We tend to correct without first allowing a connection to be established. It’s how we do things in this fast paced, pressured society – we jump to offering opinions and expertise, or slip into fixing mode.

“Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me, and be my friend.”
~ Albert Camus

What if we walked beside someone, giving their thoughts and feelings room to breathe before offering our own?

To do this we need to:

  • slow down & listen
  • understand that acceptance does not mean agreement 
  • validate their point of view as being important to them

We need to give more of ourselves.

This takes time and energy, two things I hear so many say they lack. Yet how much time and energy does it cost us now and down the road to not do it?

When we make connection as much of a priority as agreement and outcome, we find that we build relationships and productivity today, saving time and energy tomorrow.

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Related Reading:
Remembering Joy
3 Playful Communication Tools
Sharing versus Telling
The Spirit of Yes And

Related Training:
Conscious Communication ~ Creative, Compassionate & Productive Communication
Community Engagement ~ Building Creative & Collaborative Relationships

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