Have you ever had someone say or do something that hurts your feelings? I think we have all been there.
As a girl, my friend and I had this little rhyme we sang. "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can do me no harm". As I get older I am realizing how silly and incorrect that little rhyme was.
Research now shows that the optimal ratio is for every negative comment to be matched by five positive ones. This is why I believe Responsible Communication (RC)is important for well-being.
We must improve our relationship or have a relationship where there is an exchange of positive and negative comments. When you have a relationship with someone it is sometimes easier to see their strengths and weaknesses. We should remember to acknowledge their strengths. This is something we teach our coaches to do as a key skill in their ability to support clients.
We must view communication in its entirety. The way you look at someone or listen to them, respond to their query, and relate to them is all part of the communication we are used to addressing. However, communication happens when we ignore, accuse, condemn, complain, or gossip about others.
Responsible communication (RC) reminds us to communicate without doing harm. This means that we will examine the things we say and don't say as well as the things we need to make right.
RC reminds us to practice empathy, acknowledgement, encouragement and not cause harm. It is not always easy but we can always learn to do better. I am still working on getting better and want to encourage you to do the same.
The essence of RC is the ability to make amends and restore our relationships. When we do this it is often considered conflict resolution but I like to think of it as interpersonal wellness.
Making amends is a very healing and rejuvenating process for our cells and our mental health. If there is someone you have hurt, take some time to correct and make amends.
if you need help or support, join us at the Global Workplace Wellness Community of practice where we build wellness competencies to help change our behaviour and interactions with others.
To Your Wellness,
Joyce
