Now, I’ll be the FIRST to admit that checking into a place of mutual understanding isn’t always easy, as I was immediately offended for my colleague and his family with the initial “reply” …
…But like I said in my last blog, it’s still important.
I tend to keep my politics off of blogs, podcasts, and other publicly accessible material. But, in this particular political season—a season with the presidential office at stake and the current political discourse — I want to speak up.
Our elected leaders, and the governments they create significantly impact our lives and careers as surgeons. We don’t always agree with these leaders and governments, but they’re ours and we must work with them constructively not destructively.
While I know one can inspire others through shared goals, we are unlikely to change any opinions through quick social media posts, or casual passing quips. Having real conversations to get beyond polarization requires reciprocity and communication with mutual understanding.
To help people with significantly different opinions and beliefs move past political polarization to an area of mutual respect and true problem solving, requires these PRACTICEs.
That means making a conscious commitment to keeping your eyes and ears wide-open no matter how much your brain wants to scream, “what an idiot!” or “they just don’t get it!”
And when you make this commitment—this promise to execute mutual understanding—the results are powerful!
Now imagine, for a moment, if Congress and the media tried to engage in mutual understanding…
Wouldn’t that be amazing?
If you want to learn more about mutual understanding, and the practice required to successfully implement it in your life, check out Webinar #6: The 8 PRACTICEs of Highly Successful Surgeons— Masters Class – Communication with Mutual Understanding.
-Jeff