The Art of Asking: Initiating Conversations with Compassion and Respect

Written By Carrie Freshour

It's been an emotional rollercoaster as we navigate a HUGE life change and embark on a nomadic lifestyle for a bit. In the middle of this ride I had an opportunity to put all the packing aside do what I love most travel to Oregon and spend time with a group of leaders ready to talk about the hard and have hard conversations about the barriers to employee wellness initiatives. Getting vulnerable and speaking into the policy procedures and bureaucracy that can stand in the way of well intended efforts and action that falls short. Everytime I do this work I walk away more affirmed that we are all struggling with so much of the same. It's time to start having those hard conversations with your leaders and be willing to hear what they have to say. 

As leaders, one of our greatest tools for fostering a trauma-informed environment is our ability to initiate conversations with compassion and respect. Yet, broaching sensitive topics can feel daunting, especially when we're unsure how someone will respond. However, it's crucial to remember that silence only perpetuates the stigma surrounding mental health and trauma.

 
 

Avoid making assumptions or offering unsolicited advice. Instead, focus on active listening and validating their experiences. Reflect on what you hear to ensure you've understood correctly, and ask open-ended questions to encourage deeper exploration.

 
 
“Above all, approach these conversations with humility and a willingness to learn.”
 
 

By mastering the art of asking, we demonstrate our commitment to creating inclusive and supportive spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued.

Together, we can break down the barriers of silence and stigma, paving the way for healing and growth.

In a world filled with with hidden struggles, leaders must cultivate awareness and empathy. Need help breaking through those barriers? Let’s Chat!

Carrie Freshour

Carrie Freshour is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Carrie Freshour Consulting, LLC, a firm that empowers and equips individuals and teams to maximize their potential, navigate systems change and break down stigma to address the long-standing needs in the behavioral health field. Equity, fairness, and equality are at the core of the strategies she guides her individual and group clients to implement. Carrie leads from a purpose-filled lens of strength and resilience, weaving together her lived experience, clinical training, and executive leadership; She’s not afraid to have hard conversations to help teams, organizations, and people break through barriers to achieve and sustain results.

Having worked as a clinical social worker for over twenty-five years, she has extensive experience developing programs, and public awareness efforts, writing policies, and creating training curriculums in diverse settings. She’s a dynamic speaker and facilitator, leading community conversations and conducting community-wide assessments. In addition, she has led internal organizational operations and created inclusive cultures that empower teams to work authentically and transparently.

http://carriefreshourconsulting.com
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The Power of Noticing: Recognizing Signs of Unspoken Struggle