Over the past couple of years, the majority of my
co-workers and I have learned, examined, and began practicing the concepts
learned through Crucial Conversations (just recently we have had a major
increase in staff so not everyone is familiar with CC). Due to the adjustment
of language used amongst co-workers, I have observed increased positive
interactions between co-workers.
In addition to be mindful of the idea of Crucial
Conversations, I have identified 2 strategies that have helped me in resolving
a conflict situation at work. One strategy is selective listening, defined by O’Hair
& Wiemann (2012) as “listening that involves zeroing in only on bits of
information that interest the listener, disregarding other messages or parts of
messages” (p. 175). The co-worker with whom I am trying to increase open
communication and decrease animosity and anger with is a very social person as
I am. My observations of this person include a difference in our work ethics
which I have allowed to color my assumptions and communication with her. I have
been practicing selective listening with this person so as to highlight, in my
mind, the essential pieces/statements that are important to our combined work.
This has been helpful and I have noticed an increased positive spin in our
interactions.
A second strategy that has been useful in my
recognition of the interactions with this person is reminding myself of two
core beliefs of adults: “People are inherently good and want to contribute and
improve and people are doing the beset they can based on their present moment
awareness” (Francis Institute, Strengths-Based Coaching®). As adults working in
a filed as collaborative as early childhood must keep in mind these core
beliefs as we work with others.
References:
Francis Institute. (2012). Strengths-Based
Coaching®. [Participant Workbook]. Kansas City, MO.
O'Hair, D., &
Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York:
Bedford/St. Martin's.
Hi Rebecca
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your post that sometimes we have to use selective listening. I have learned to use this strategy more since the start of this class. I also have let this interfer with my communicaton with a co worker. It seems like we may have the same issues within our workplace. Thanks for sharing a great posy.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI admire your efforts to better your communication with a co-worker that is different than you. You are a better person then I am. I worked with someone like this before, she basically just liked to her herself talk. I could not stand to be around her and I eventually started avoiding her. I think that selective listening is a good tool when communicating with people like this. Then you can distinguish what is important and what is not.
Anna