Situational awareness
Enter conversations with situational awareness.
A couple of years ago, as part of a weekend retreat, my son and I took a situational awareness class. We were presented real life situations and how circumstances could have changed with an awareness of surroundings. It was a humbling class, as the leader made us all realize that even the most perceptive has a natural gap in awareness.
Situational awareness takes great intentionality.
There is much going on in the lives of those around us. Each person, at any given time, has the good, the bad, and the ugly happening. Some are under extreme pressure. Some have extreme heaviness. Some are celebrating. Some are full of fear. Some walk into conversations full of shame and regret. Some view the world or situations positive, some negative. So many different perspectives and emotions in every person at any given moment.
Situational awareness is a great swing though when approaching every conversation.
A while back, one of my daughters came up to me and said the following.
“Dad, I have all A’s, but I just flunked an exam. It is okay though, as they drop the lowest grade.”
Well, Dad breezed by the “all A’s” comment and dove into the exam that was “flunked” and the comment about dropping the lowest grade.
Dad failed the situational awareness exam.
If I had been thinking about the situation, all that she had on her plate with a new life in college, social pressures, new roommate, I would have responded differently.
My focus was on the one score on one exam. I missed an opportunity to encourage.
Every conversation that we have today will be similar to the simple exchange I detailed above.
Everyone enters every conversation with much on their mind, much going on in their lives.
Situational awareness helps us seek to understand what they have on their plate. Situational awareness helps us show empathy, recognize wins, encourage, correct, embrace, unify, and, ultimately, impact another in such a way that they walk away feeling heard and encouraged.
Today, as you think about your spouse, your child, your friend, your co-worker, your team, consider how they are viewing the world at this exact moment. Rest assured, it isn’t how you view the world. A bit of reflection on the individual’s situation can open doors to conversation that would have otherwise remained shut.
Enter every conversation with ears, understanding, empathy, and encouragement.
Impact others. Live generously.
Scripture, James 3:1-12