Healing Presence
What do people experience when they are in your presence? Joy? Comfort? Encouragement? Understanding? Peace? To me, it’s amazing to think about the impact we can have on others from the exchanges that we have with them. Our words and actions (the messages we convey) are significant. They can leave a lasting impression on others. Additionally, they can achieve a desired outcome, such as growth and change, in the lives of people.
“A positive statement propels hope toward a better future, it builds up your faith and that of others, and it promotes change.”
When I saw the quote by Jan Dargatz referenced above I thought it spoke so well to this idea of purpose and intentionality in messaging. We all hope that the communication we have with others will be meaningful, especially as professionals in helping positions, primarily because the goal is to make a difference in the lives of others, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. While this is the objective, unfortunately this is not always the case. You may have heard from some individuals receiving services/supports that there were times they had negative experiences due to the way they were treated by those they looked to for help. In those moments this can be especially devastating because there was an expectation for so much more, namely positive and healthy experiences. And I completely agree. I believe that all people can positively influence the lives of others around them every day and have a responsibility and opportunity to add value through the messages they share in words and actions. Yet, professionals/leaders who represent areas of health and wellness are in a great position to live up to these ideals. Or maybe you are a professional in human resources or another field and serve in a position in support of other members of a team. In whatever sphere of influence you are in, it’s important for you to recognize the power of your message.
I am also inspired by the opportunity we have to make a difference in the lives of others merely by being present with them. I wonder if some of the greatest moments of support for someone can be just from another person being present with them, particularly in a time of need, even should there be little to no words or actions at all. You could provide a listening ear, a compassionate hug, or a smile, to name a few. Or, you could just be present. When someone is dealing with very difficult experiences, say a traumatic event or personal struggle, it may help them the most to know that the message you convey is that you care for and are there for them. And knowing that someone cares and is there, even if just to provide a shoulder to cry on, can be especially helpful. This is what has been most meaningful to me in working in mental health and human services. In these moments, the quote below by Maya Angelou seems truly significant.
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Think about your own experiences. Have there been times in your life when someone positively helped you through their words, actions, or just by simply being present? How did it make you feel? Likewise, what messages do you want to convey to others when working with them?
It’s not always easy to provide the support that people are looking for. At the same time, I hope that you are able to leave an indelible mark on the lives of the people that you are working with to achieve a desired outcome. Most of all, I hope that those who work with you experience positive and life-changing messages in your presence.
I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering.
Healthy Messages™ helps professionals, leaders, and business owners in human services improve, craft, and implement communication within and across systems.
Learn more about Healthy Messages™ mission, vision, and outcomes.
Your Best Work
Over the years I have found that my best work involves great struggles and challenges. One might read this and think this is hard to believe or understand, but it’s true. In some cases, it has been a sad truth but in every case it has been meaningful and purposeful. Working with others, particularly individuals who may struggle with various mental health disorders, especially personality disorders, can be a feat in itself, but working with organizations that perpetuate unhealthy behaviors can be a greater task, even insurmountable at times. Yet, these are the conditions that have produced my best work.
In pursuing my professional goals, I knew early on (between completing undergraduate and graduate studies) that I wanted to work in leadership and organizational behavior. What I did not know was the trials that faced me in the areas of work I held dear. I’ve observed unhealthy communication amongst staff, minimal to no support in leadership, and antagonistic behaviors, including hostile, retaliatory, and punitive actions, on all organizational levels. Yet, the most toxic work environments I have been in have provided me with the opportunity to do what I do best - model clear and consistent communication, advocate for positive professional and organizational growth and change, make recommendations for process improvements and ethical decision-making, and implement strategies to achieve outcomes. As well, my experiences affirmed my personal and professional calling/purpose and developed my strengths as a leader and professional. Most of all, I found the resolve to stay true to myself and what I believed was right. It taught me to never give up. The courage and tenacity I knew that I had was etched into my very being (there are times when you are faced with the opportunity to not just know something but to know it so much so that no one or nothing can take it from you).
For me, how diamonds are formed comes to mind, which you may be familiar with too. Their development requires intense pressure and heat. True to my experiences, many times I have felt like I have been in the fire. The struggles have been real and profound. At the same time, I know I was built for and have been prepared for them. Think about your experiences. You too possess a unique set of strengths and abilities and require a unique set of conditions that will produce the best that you have to offer. Consider these questions:
What is your best work?
Do you find that there are times when you do your best work?
What conditions - environments, circumstances, and situations, support you in doing your best work?
It may take time to understand what you thrive in and where, and that’s ok. We are all continuing to grow and learn. If you’re not quite sure, consider what you’re passionate about (if you could do anything, what would it be?) and what you do well. And when you know more, or if you do currently, let your light shine brightly. Get connected with others of like mind and heart. Continue to grow and most of all, pursue your best work.
I would love to hear more about your best work.
Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering.
Healthy Messages™ helps professionals, leaders, and business owners in human services improve, craft, and implement communication within and across systems.
Learn more about Healthy Messages™ mission, vision, and outcomes.
Clear Messages
When something is clear, it means it is ‘not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation’ (Merriam-Webster). I really appreciate the wording of this definition. It speaks to the importance of clarity and consistency in messaging, whether the communication is written, verbal, or nonverbal behavior. This is especially relevant in leadership and organizational and professional development, and I believe a greater focus on improving messaging in these areas would contribute greatly to organizational health and success.
Can you think of a time when you were expected to fulfill a task or assignment but were left with questions about what you should do? What about discrepancies between an organization’s vision/mission, services, and outcomes? Or a leader whose values were not matched by their words and actions? I imagine you have experienced these and/or other instances when messaging was not clear or was contrary to what was intended.
Leaders have a wonderful responsibility and opportunity to cast vision, establish expectations, give instruction and guidance, share strategy, teach, mentor, and model values and behaviors. The messages that leaders convey are extremely important. And not just for leaders in the formal or traditional sense, but for you who influences the lives of people around you every day. Thus, it is important to also consider areas for continuous growth and improvement.
Healthy Messages helps professionals:
Create clear, consistent messaging.
Grow personally and professionally.
Implement practices and systems that support organizational health and success.
Develop tools for evaluating performance and measuring success.
Achieve their unique vision for services or their business.
There are a few questions I would like you to consider:
What do you want to communicate to those who you want to help, lead, or support?
What is your vision or mission?
What goals do you want to accomplish?
What messages do you want to convey in words and actions?
How do you want to grow personally and professionally?
In reviewing these questions consider how a focus on improving messaging can contribute to the bigger picture - organizational health and success.
I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering.
Healthy Messages™ helps professionals, leaders, and business owners in human services improve, craft, and implement communication within and across systems.
Learn more about Healthy Messages™ mission, vision, and outcomes.