Today we’re talking about a helpful leadership concept, known as Both/And.
Both/And is a mindset that can help to remind you that you have the capacity to hold two (or more) seemingly opposite or conflicting ideas, feelings, or truths at that same time.
Life is beautifully and wonderfully complicated. Too often we forget that the strong emotion we’re feeling, isn’t the only one—Both/And, honors that.
Holding this idea in your brain can be a powerful tool to reduce stress as you navigate and nurture your relationships (with others and with yourself).
Using Both/And in your personal and professional leadership, demonstrates that it’s okay to talk about and name the messiness while also celebrating what’s good.
To support you today, we’re sharing some examples we’ve heard from our clients.
- I think I’m right AND I respect you, so I will fully listen to your thoughts.
- I want to do this on my own AND I’m feeling overwhelmed and would like support.
- I’m feeling grief over the loss of my mother AND I appreciate the beauty of my garden.
- I’m feeling frustrated by your behavior AND I want to understand what you’re going through.
- I’m relieved that the kids are back in school AND I miss having them around.
One of the hardest things about being human is that we feel so many emotions in response to both our internal life and external life. Few of us have been taught how to navigate these feelings.
It’s important to try and learn
from our feelings
while not being held hostage by them.
Remember that you have the capacity to hold two seemingly opposite or conflicting ideas, feelings, or truths at that same time.
This week, try to notice when you’re feeling caught by the messiness of life, and consider using this Both/And framework to provide you with a more complete view of your world.
Let us know what it looks like for you.
If you’d like support
incorporating Both/And
into your thinking,
contact us today.
