CWHP-A Reflections: Unit WWC02

Whether it’s leadership buy in – or buy in from your frontline staff, meeting them where they’re at will almost always result in a productive conversation. When I started my first social enterprise and was struggling to break through the barriers to find my audience someone told me, “Keep talking to the people who are listening.” This has stuck with me time and time again especially when trying to effect change or make an impact in my role. It will be ten times as hard to convince someone – if you even manage to convince them – of your ideas or perspectives if they are in no way engaged or understanding of the place you’re coming from. Try starting with the people who are listening. Start with the people who DO want to take action, who DO want to be part of change. They are the ones deserving of your time and efforts; nurture them. Eventually through trickle down efforts, leading by example, and fostering those champions of change, the circle of those who want to be part of what you’re doing will grow larger and larger. If people aren’t ready to receive what you have to say – you can always try to deliver it in a different way that is more digestible to them or by listening to their point of view first and not necessarily in an effort to sway them, but simply to listen without judgement. How powerful it can be – just to be heard.