How Understanding Leads to Meaningful Change
You might have had a situation where you talked to your manager about having too much work. Usually, we start these conversations by saying something like, "I can't handle it anymore, my work-life balance is ruined." But often, nothing changes or things get worse.
When we want things to change, just talking about how we feel doesn't always work. Many times, it doesn't change anything at all. But there's a better way to talk about problems and make things better. It starts with understanding the other person's perspective.
Understand Their Perspective:
When you want something to change, like having too much work, it's easy to just talk about your own feelings. But before you do that, try to understand where the other person, like your manager situation.
Start the Conversation:
Start by saying something like, "I've noticed that we have a lot of work lately. I hope everything is okay on your end. Is there anything I can do to help?" This shows that you care about their feelings and how they're doing.
Listen and Learn:
When they answer, listen carefully. You might find out why things are the way they are. Maybe your manager is also under a lot of pressure or they believe you can handle the work and want to see you succeed.
Find Common Ground:
Once you understand their side, you can find ways to solve the problem together. You could suggest ways to make the workload easier or come up with ideas that help both of you.
Lead the Conversation:
With a better understanding of the situation, you can guide the conversation in a positive direction. Even if things don't change exactly how you wanted, at least you've started working towards a better solution.
By listening and understanding others, you can make things better. So, next time you want something to change, remember to start by understanding the other person's perspective. It can make a big difference.