Peers helping Peers
(Picture of two cement statues listening to each other)
Hello my Fellow Entrepreneurs,
I would like to talk about something so precious to me and on my heart at the moment.
For some people living with disabilities, it can be a challenge to face every day with hope and endurance.
Humans are naturally very social creatures and we rely on others for our self worth and guidance, even validation of our emotions.
I attended a workshop in Brisbane City, Queensland Australia called the Art of Hosting.
It was all about basically the art of communication in a group environment.
One of the key moments for me, was again, engaging in deep listening.
Deep listening is a skill that is for sure!
Most people just want to be heard, and that is Ok too.
There is something of value in both being heard and being a listener.
Being a listener is giving a true sense of empathy to someone in need of expressing their feelings.
Being a peer is a valuable position in life.
Being a peer that holds a safe space for someone else is commendable.
To all the peer listeners out there, thank you!
Kind regards
Erica ~ The jewellery designer creating heirlooms for future generations!
Recent Comments
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This is one of the most important part of the WA experience, peers freely helping peers by sharing hard earned expertise and experience. This has always been a goal of mine as I have moved through life.
Jim
Thanks so much Jim, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
And I totally agree that WA is a perfect example of peers sharing lived experiences of working online and much more.
Kind regards
Erica
Listening itself is a challenge for most, we all want to be heard, even validated, at times, and being able to really hear the other person, and not just 'listen' is indeed a skill worth improving.
The Art of Hosting, what a great idea for a class.
What was it that made you want to take that class?
Rudy
Hello Rudy, thanks so much for commenting here, I appreciate your thoughts.
Yes the Art of Hosting , is a wonderful experience around hosting a group of peers in conversation and also harvesting that information that is collected throughout the meeting.
Knowing how to communicate effectively in a group is really a skill that I did not realize I could learn so much.
I did the class because I want to host peer groups for people living with disabilities to discuss their concerns.
Thanks again :)
Kind regards
Erica
That's a great class, more classes like rhis need to be created to help others to learn how to be willing to be a listener.
Rudy
Absolutely Rudy, there was some really great lessons to help become a better listener and focus and listen without interrupting.
It sounds easy but it can be quite the challenge to listen for like 3 minutes without even making sounds of agreement or non agreement, just being present and listen.
Erica
Love the message Erica and great to hear from you again!
I have always been known for my listening skills... I get told at times I am too quiet and talk more!
Personally, I believe there is a right time to listen and a right time to speak out!
Take care my friend and enjoy a fantastic start to the new week! :-)
Hello Nick, yes for sure me too some people say I am too quiet haaha.
But your right there is the right time for listening and speaking, I agree.
You too have a great new week,
Kind regards
Erica
Thank you Erica for wise words of wisdom.
There are many things we as content creators can do to make life easier for people with disabilities. Often in the rush to build our businesses, we forget to include them including listening to what our customers want rather than pushing onto them what we think they should want when really all we should be doing is listening.
Thanks so much Karen, I appreciate your kind thoughts here.
Yes I agree as content creators making our content accessible is really important, thanks for sharing.
Kind regards
Erica
Thank you Erica.
Being a true listener with empathy are the ones who are willing to help those that just want to be heard rather than be spoken to or told what they should do.
Blessings my friend
Namaste
Andre
Thanks so much Andre, I appreciate your comments here.
Absolutely Andre, it is not always the answer to just tell people what they should do, it is sometimes just being heard your so right, thanks.
Blessings to you also :)
Kind regards
Erica
Most welcome Erica sometimes being just told what to do without listening can create more issues than solve problems long and short term.
Enjoy you day and have a great week ahead.
Andre
Absolutely Andre, sometimes we just need a listener to hear ourselves navigate our issue.
I am enjoying the cooler weather and looking at opportunities for the future, thanks :)
Enjoy your day too Andre!
Erica
Glad you are enjoying the cooler weather which is a nice change from our usual summers LOL
Yes there are times when the speaker needs to take a moment and just listen as well as speak when needed not always when wanted. What you stated earlier is having empathy.
Take care
Andre
Yes for sure Andre, it is for sure a power to feel empathy, it can be underestimated for how powerful it is to receive empathy too. It is healing in itself.
You take care too Andre :)
Erica
See more comments
Deep listening is surely a powerful skill.
Last week, I have practiced mindfulness. And did that in listening too.
I discovered that my replies are more thoughtful. The information I shared was more useful for my students. And I could see they appreciated it.
Thank you too, Erica, for always listening.
Tim
Thanks so much Tim, I appreciate hearing your thoughts about this.
Absolutely I often love so much when a teacher practices deep listening, it is such a motivation to continue the study.
Thanks so much Tim also :)
Kind regards
Erica