Bridge Builders listen to the perspectives of others, instead of fearing their knowledge, experiences and convictions.
With vision, respect and wisdom they connect:
- Front lines and executives
- Teams across silos
- Customers and the organizations that serve them
- Individuals
- Communities
- Nations
As a result, productive conversations across races, religions, and even cultural and political differences are possible.
Bridge Builders:
- See people not labels
- Step into the tension between what is, and what could be
- Explore instead of interrogating
- Listen to what is NOT being said, as much as what IS being said
- Recognize pain points
- Teach truth seeking and critical thinking
- Increase compassion and understanding
- Emphasize common ground
- Encourage collaboration
- Facilitate problem solving
When a bridge is built:
- People collaborate instead of blocking progress
- Solutions are found
- Healing begins
- Hope is restored
- Growth happens
- Synergy is unleashed
- More bridges are constructed
Our families, workplaces and world need more bridge builders.
If you’d like to make a greater difference, follow the links below to learn more about building bridges with those around you:
- Your boss
- Executives
- Employees
- Peers
- Customers
- A very diverse group of people and opposing views
- A family member that thinks differently
- A new contact who thinks differently
- A complete stranger who thinks differently
Please share: How has a bridge builder helped you to consider another perspective? How has that new perspective changed your thinking, your behavior, or your results?
I love this post Chery and I love the idea of Bridge Builders! I think that when we try to see common elements in the way we see things, we are more able to merge different perspectives together. I am working now with an individual who has a very different idea from me about leadership. He is more bottom-line financially focused and I am all about the people piece and developing a sustainable culture for his organization. But we both see the necessity for strong and understanding leadership.
Thanks Chery and will share today!
Thank you Terri! I love your story. We need people that see the world from every angle to be strong. He is wise to be working with someone that compliments his natural strengths instead of being just of echo. Thank you for sharing!