Tag: empathy

Stop searching

Posted on by philipdodson

Stop searching the world for what you may have done wrong, for what you may have failed at, for what you could have done better, or for any other shortcomings.

You will always find what you are looking for in others criticism or reactions or words.

Stop seeking permission, stop seeking validation, stop caring what others may think, be true to yourself and your values, set and respect boundaries of what is and isn’t acceptable.

Start belonging to yourself, stop searching to fit-in.

Look instead for connection with humanity through generosity, kindness, empathy, love, compassion.

As Brene Brown says ‘hold hands with strangers’ and experience collective joy and take our share of collective pain.

If you can’t stand the heat…

Posted on by philipdodson

I grew up with phrases like ‘if you can’t stand the heat get out the kitchen’, thanks to tough guys like Harry Truman who coined the phrase.

A macho bullshit line to basically say toughen up or you’re a loser if you can’t take the ‘heat’.

But being ‘tough’ is not the answer in some ‘put up with everything’ type environment allowing people to treat others badly. There is nothing clever, smart or tough about treating people like shit. It is just shit.

We will not ever be able to build an empathetic and people focused culture unless we move away from this being ‘tough’ mentality. It is about as appropriate to the world, as say, a steam powered loom would be now.

Getting the best from people comes from understanding not from ‘toughening’ them up and trampling all over their emotions and needs.

We do not need to subject people to ‘heat’. We need to create a safe, non-judgemental environment that inspires, supports and cares about them, allowing them to be vulnerable and open.