What if Irony is Judging Others for Lacking Empathy?
While we may think
that we’re providing autonomy
for the employees’ benefit,
our employees
can actually feel
left alone
without support.
While we may think
that we’re expressing our concern
for the company’s benefit
our employers
can actually feel
uncared for
without support.
…
Support
is an event.
Just
as the confidence of an engineer
does not guarantee
whether the structure they built
is supportive,
our intention to support
does not guarantee
that support
happens.
When it rains,
you can passively get wet
or actively feel
each
and every rain drop
fall
on every corner
of your body.
Same rain.
Different intention.
Different feeling.
Different meaning.
Let us reflect
on what gives rise
to the differences.
In a workshop I lead,
a woman—a wife—
publicly shared
that she never realized
how complex
men were.
She’s always assumed
men
were simple.
She witnessed
that when a coach creates a space
in which men
can be brave enough
to expose their feelings
of fear and shame
the complexity gets articulated.
It’s difficult o articulate what we’ve yet to learn how,
especially when there is social risk.
It often feels easier
to hide
or to repress.
Many men live this way
their entire lives.
There’s significant misunderstanding
or misperception
between men & women.
Much well-intended,
but overly simplistic misinformation
as well.
(i.e. Men are from Mars,
Women are from Venus)
These may mask things in the short term,
but things can eventually erupt.
