I'm off for my summer break, off to the Dutch coast.
And I'm taking a couple of slow questions with me inspired by amongst many others: the wonderful people I've been working with and the wonderful Belgian psychotherapist Esther Perel.
One of the questions that travels with me this summer is:
- 'How do I relate to work?'
- In more general terms: 'How do I relate?'
With this letter, I am inviting you to take a slow question with you as well this summer.
What are the questions in the back of your mind, the ones that do not need an answer right away, the ones that just need some 'sitting with'?
I can imagine that our recent months and societal context have had impact upon you and your (work) life.
In my view, our social environment has really invited us to enhance our skills in having difficult conversations.
We may have been doing a great job, we may have messed up, we may have done both.
On the cross roads between relating and communicating the theme of listening presents itself.
So, with this letter this is my question for you. If you are completely honest with yourself:
What are my listening skills actually like?
In answering this question, just observe whether you are finding yourself in debates most of the time, with yourself and the Other. Or are you able to slow down, and be in dialogue with yourself and the Other?
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