Our April Ho‘ohana: Mālama

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Comments

[Rocky]

Great topic. I am looking forward to watching this discussion develop over the next month.

[David Zinger]

To me, caring is the key.

Our work is an expression of caring.

When we stop caring we become careless.

Listening to others has to be careful - full of care and slow and deliberate.

I believe it was Bernie Siegel who coined the term care-frontation. I like this so much more than confrontation. In carefrontation, we engage in difficult conversations and conflicts with others not by confronting them but out of a stance of caring we put things in front of them. In this instance, caring is not just namby pamby --- it can be tough yet with a caring focus on the other.

And caring is not just limited to others we need to care for ourselves.

For over 15 years I have worked with a model I developed called: The Circle of Caring. There is a circle for the self, a circle for the other, and a circle that encircles both the self and other. We begin with our strengths, make a transition into caring for others, and our strengths often become our best expressions of caring for others. When the encounter or relationship ends we make a transition out of the relationship by bringing the caring back to us. This model is based on being where you are and it reduces heavy amounts of stress by dwelling in the present moment. When we are at work we are at work and when we are at home we are home! As one person said, carrying your cares to bed is like sleeping with a pack on your back. If you really care for your work it will be there waiting for you when you return the next day.

Whoops. This was a long comment but it speaks to my love of caring. I look forward to a month focused on caring.
Thanks Rosa

[Dwayne Melancon]

This is an area where I think it's virtually impossible to "fake it 'til you make it."

I think it also relates to your Who/How/Why discussion - and it's critical to hire people in business who care about what your business requires. Without that, it's hard for people to exude the kind of caring for your customers that creates a real bond.

But then, I bet you know that already Rosa - from your time in the hospitality industry that it takes a certain kind of outlook to really make customers feel like you're on their side (isn't it cool that hospitality starts with 'hospital'?)

Thanks for provoking the thoughts.

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Caring is sharing, and Rosa, you are one caring individual. Thank you for making this the month of Mālama; I can't wait to read your insights this month on how we can care more and show our care more to those we serve.

[Rosa Say]

David, your comment is so full of wisdom. I love the thought of how your Circle of Caring model relates to our Circle of Influence too, as Stephen Covey teaches it. And you are so right that caring is not "just namby pamby" - you'll see I have a post coming up in MWA Jumpstart this month on tough love: for a preview, go to page 186 of MWA.

Dwayne, our Who/How/What - and yes, Why? discussion is one of those that will stay with me; it is already jelling in my coaching.

[Rick Fuqua]

I would like to throw in that caring can be expressed out of respect and teamwork. Those that don't care don't make good team mates. In my world, I sometimes even see how caring applies to inanimate objects like computers and networks - and it works.

I despise (or at least get irritated with) clock punchers and bottom feeders that seem to be going through the motions at work, but don't care about what they are doing or who they are doing it with...

...I am energized by people who care about their work, their co-workers and customers.

I don't expect alot of hugging and emotions, but I do expect caring and appreciation.