These are challenging times for our country and our planet. Daily we’re reminded of the differences that exist in the world, and to feel safer we seek out our allies. Seeking comfort from people who are aligned with you is a very human thing to do; yet it can further polarize our families, workplaces, and worlds.
Unfortunately, polarization breaks down connections and communities. It’s not bad for us to have differences; it’s bad to start to believe those differences automatically create enemies.
As we consider this world and support you in leading in it, we got caught by the difference in two words that sound the same but mean very different things. The words are: insight and incite.
When we looked up their definitions, this is what we found:
Incite: to stir, encourage, or urge on action, often violent.
As you can see, they are quite different.
Our goal is to support every one of you in offering your insight—your perspective on an underlying truth—while being thoughtful and inclusive of others, instead of inciting others toward anger and possibly violence.
Remember, violence can be physical, but it can also be psychological and include things like making people feel smaller, insulted, and demeaned in some way.
As a leader in your life and world, you have the ability to both share insight or incite. Pause and ask yourself: “Is what I am about to say or do in alignment with my goals?” It matters that you choose thoughtfully.
Recently, we came upon an ad that left each of us with tears in our eyes. In a world where so much of what we see is meant to incite, this ad offered insight. Please be clear, we’re not promoting the product, but the insight this brilliant ad offers all of us.
Please take 5 minutes to watch this video:
Please share with us in the comments below any insights you had about yourself, your community, or your world after watching this video.
Your Coaches and Allies at Carpenter Smith Consulting
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