Supporting Others In Tough Times
Tapping into strengths during tough times can supercharge our resilience and resourcefulness.
Using strengths to support others when they face challenges gives us a whole other use for our strengths toolkit. In my book (LINK) I show you how you can support others in times of adversity by tapping into strengths. Here’s a snapshot from the book.
Supporting others through adversity
When we see others struggling, it can be tempting to jump into rescuer mode and offer solutions and suggestions. What people mostly need from us is to listen. When we offer a non-judgemental ear, we allow that person the space to clarify their thoughts and feelings and find their own solutions.
We aim to be of service to the other person, not to ourselves. We can put aside our agenda, climb our iceberg, get a view from the top, and be more ears than mouths. One of my favourite strategies is holding space. You can read more about it in an excellent book called The Art of Holding Space by Heather Plett. When we hold space for someone, we create a sense of safety by deeply listening and not offering solutions. We are simply with the person as they work through their challenge. We can offer encouragement or support and show them we are not judging them.
In self-mastery mode, we can help others in two ways. The first is to know how to use our strengths to support others. Reflect on how you use your strengths to be a great listener and be present. When we are in listening mode, we can ask curious questions. The coaching questions throughout this book can just as easily be asked of others as used for personal reflection.
We can also help the other person see how they can apply their strengths to the situation. You can help them use the Powered Up model. Here are some tips to get you started.
When supporting others in times of adversity, remember to take care of yourself by staying in the strengths mastery zone. Using the right strength at the right time and intensity makes the best possible use of your energy. You are likely to feel energised and in a state of flow. When you know and use your strengths as superpowers, you are at your most resourceful and in the best possible position to support others.
If you’re keen to learn more about how to know and use your strengths, you can check out my book and my coaching and development programs. I’d love for you to tap into your strengths and discover how to use them as your own personal SUPERPOWERS.
