Meaningful and Mindful Relationships at Work – But How?

Every day we can see at least one TV talk show where politicians from various parties voice their opinions.

Voice them? Share them? Fight over them?

It is not easy to find the right word to describe what they are actually doing. But one thing is for sure, they are not listening to each other.

Which reminds me how hard it can be to find meaningful and mindful relationships at work. It is hard not least because our political leaders are such bad examples.

A really good example these days of politicians squabbling and posturing but not listening is the British parliament.

People really want something else. The exact opposite. A different way of working together and a different kind of leadership. Something much more mindful. Soulfoul leadership and soulful relationships.

To be heard.

This is where leaders matter so much. In many cases leaders have decisions to make. That is their job. But before deciding they should be listening. Often staff know much more about the effects decisions will have or the difficulties that might be encountered in implementing decisions. It works the other way around too. I do not think there are many leaders who take decision-making lightly and have bad intentions for their staff. Sometimes teams give the impression that their leaders are incapable. Some teams would be well advised to listen to their leaders, to take an interest in reasons behind decisions, and to consider a picture that is bigger than their own area of work.

Deep down, we all want to be seen and heard. At work too. This gives us an opportunity for a great gift to each other, every day, every hour and every minute. The gift of listening. And this is not just about letting someone finish what they have to say.

It is about really following what that other person is thinking, acknowledging that that person is motivated by good reasons and has good ideas.

I do not know why this is often so difficult, for myself too. But I know that there is no other way to give the world of work more soul.

I hope too that our politicians would start listening to each other. They would find better solutions.

This is my appeal!