Session 5 video recording
Here is the link for Week 5’s meeting - and a summary of our discussion:
Summary
Personal Growth and Healing Journey
The group discussed personal growth and healing, with Iris sharing her experience of working through questions about past choices and understanding them in a new light. Catherine shared her recent surgery results, which were positive, and mentioned she would begin radiation treatment. Celine, who has been traveling and house-sitting in various countries, joined the call from Vietnam. The conversation ended with a discussion about homework related to recognizing and reflecting on amygdala hijack experiences.
Effective Communication Strategies Discussed
Celine shared her experience of handling a hotel room situation by listening to her husband's perspective and finding a compromise, which helped improve their communication. Catherine commended Celine for her approach and emphasized the importance of pausing and thinking before reacting, especially in challenging situations. Aly added that being sick is another time when communication can be challenging, and Catherine agreed, suggesting the term "halts" to describe situations where patience is low. Claudette discussed a recent hijack situation with a future leader and reflected on her tendency to discuss issues with others instead of addressing them directly. She considered whether she was willing to change her approach in this situation.
Conflict Management and Emotional Awareness
Catherine and Claudette discussed strategies for managing frustration and conflict, emphasizing the importance of questioning assumptions and engaging in direct communication to avoid misinterpretations. They explored tools for recognizing emotional triggers and switching perspectives, highlighting the value of addressing issues with the involved parties rather than enrolling others. Catherine shared a personal experience to illustrate how clarifying assumptions can lead to productive conversations, and they both agreed on the significance of acknowledging and processing emotions before taking action.
Understanding Judgment's Payoffs and Costs
Catherine led a discussion on the topic of judgment, exploring its payoffs and costs. She shared a personal anecdote about her grandson eating candy and emphasized the importance of recognizing when one is in a judgmental mindset. The group discussed various payoffs of judgment, including feeling right, avoiding responsibility, and a sense of superiority. They also explored the costs of judgment, such as damaged relationships and missed opportunities for growth and connection.
Understanding Personal Motivations and Choices
Catherine and Claudette discussed the concept of mental health, stress, and the payoffs of certain behaviors, emphasizing the importance of recognizing personal motivations and making conscious choices to change harmful patterns. They explored how individuals often engage in activities that provide personal satisfaction, even when serving others, and highlighted the need for self-awareness and curiosity to address conflicts and improve relationships. The discussion included practical exercises to help individuals reflect on their emotions and perspectives, encouraging them to seek understanding and common ground in challenging situations.
Conflict Resolution Through Relationship Building
Tracey shared her experience of resolving a workplace conflict by prioritizing her relationship with a coworker over the issue at hand, leading to improved communication and reconciliation. She emphasized the importance of humility, open dialogue, and focusing on mutual respect rather than being right. Catherine highlighted the value of addressing conflicts directly with the involved party and suggested that sometimes, not engaging in confrontation can be a strategic approach, depending on the individual's preferences.
Workplace Conflict and Reading Assignments
Tracey discussed a workplace conflict with Catherine, who advised her to either ignore the situation if it's not important or address it if it becomes significant. Catherine explained that people often resist changing their behavior due to four "idols": wanting to be in control, looking good, staying comfortable, or being right. The group reviewed upcoming reading assignments for their book discussion, which will cover chapters 8 to 11 and workbook chapter 5 in the next meeting on November 24th.