Miscommunication and Misunderstanding: A Tale of Priorities and Needs
@CoffeBrakeCoach
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your message or opinion wasn’t being heard or understood? Have you ever felt like a disagreement with someone turned into a conflict and left you feeling frustrated and with bad energy? Unfortunately, it happens all too often. But what if I told you that taking a step back and reflecting on what went wrong can be the key to avoiding these situations in the future?
I want to share my personal experience of applying the strategy of “full stop” in a relationship that took a wrong turn. I had a friend, who I considered a good friend for almost 10 years. We had good conversations, disagreements, and differences without anger.
Until one day, my friend made a life decision that painted a different reality and future. I tried to help, but friend became scared of the change and challenges, and became very irrational, destructive, and sad. Eventually I got angry, and our friendship ended.
Was it the right approach? Did I fully understand my friend or did my emotions rule? It wasn’t until a few years later, after learning more about relationships and communication, that I could look back and make sense of what happened.
At the time of this situation, I was focused on self-actualization and personal growth, highly motivated and driven, and had a strong sense of self-confidence. My thoughts were focused on achieving more in my life and jumping over obstacles.
On the other hand, my friend was facing fear and uncertainty and struggling with well-being. The difference in our priorities and needs put us at odds with each other, and I failed to consider my friend’s perspective.
The moral of the story is that it’s essential to understand and consider the different levels of needs and priorities in relationships to avoid misalignments and conflicts and build stronger, more supportive bonds. Sometimes differences are too strong and some friendships or business partnerships are not meant to be, but changing the angle can teach us a lot and might save meaningful connections.
Reflect with me:
How do you approach disagreements in your relationships?
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt misunderstood by a friend, family, business partner?
How do you balance your own needs and desires with those of others in your relationships?
Have you ever thought of using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to better understand and support those around you?
In conclusion, the most effective way to address and mitigate conflicts and misunderstandings in your personal and professional relationships is to start by examining your own needs and priorities. This self-reflection can help you to better understand the various levels of needs that may be contributing to a disagreement or conflict. It is also essential to approach these challenges with empathy and understanding, taking the time to consider the perspective and needs of the other person involved. By doing so, you can build stronger, more fulfilling relationships and create a more harmonious environment.
So, the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, remember to take a moment to reflect on the underlying needs at play, and approach the situation with compassion and understanding.
Please share your thoughts, questions and experiences in the comments below.
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