Mending Our Mindset
Shift your thinking for better public conversations
Does working with the public drive you crazy? The antidote lies within.
Here are ways that leaders and facilitators can adjust their thinking about the public (or their team) so that they have the patience to work toward empathy and connection with and among everyone in the room.
“Sometimes, I get frustrated with the public because they don’t understand my experience. So, I try to use that as an opportunity to understand and connect.”
“When I force my desired outcome on them, I remember that engagement is an opportunity to connect with the human experience at that moment.”
“When people complain, I remind myself that they love their community and want to use their voices to promote the collective change we want.”
“When people do nothing, I tell myself they don't care. But I try to flip that and think they care differently than I do; they show it differently. Then, I can honor whatever that is.
“When people are upset or confused, I see the problem like a mom. For example, when my daughter was upset that she needed to get a shot at the doctor’s office, she settled down when I stopped explaining why she needed it and started empathizing with how much it sucked to get a shot. We can’t avoid that kind of personal interaction with the public.”
“When the public “pushes” me, I remind myself that they have something to teach me, so I'm constantly asking questions. A co-learning conversation creates a comfortable space where people can claim their voice.”
“When frustrated with the public for getting emotional, I focus on building their self-advocacy capacity. When people are upset, they can't express themselves clearly, so I help them find the words to describe what's happening and advocate for themselves even when upset with me.”
These are quotes from members of a public facilitators’ community of practice that meets every first Tuesday of the month from 4-5 p.m. The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82398176230.
Members have remarked that this community gives them hope that others feel the same way about public engagement work: that it’s about connecting with people and not pushing a product. Feel free to join us.
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