|
|
|
|
The real work of forgiveness begins at the individual level of awareness. Nothing outside ourselves will ever bring us real happiness. Thinking that the right job, the right employees, the right partner, the right amount of money or stuff will bring us the joy and satisfaction we seek is a delusion. It keeps us from discovering real happiness that can come only from doing what needs doing in this precious moment.
When we forgive, we free ourselves from the fear and anger that we have imposed on our minds by holding on to the past. The people who we feel have betrayed us or let us down can act as mirrors for our own growth and development. By having compassion for ourselves, we can more deeply understand the needs, desires, fears, and motivations of others. This can bring great peace of mind, reduce stress, and lead to greater satisfaction, joy, and fulfillment from our work.
"Forgiving others is the first step to forgiving ourselves." A Course in Miracles
Interpersonal relationships will thrive if we let go of our need to be right about what the other person has done wrong and take the first steps towards creating more nurturing relationships. Saying "I'm sorry" is not a sign of weakness. It takes great courage and strength of character to take responsibility for creating healing in a relationship even when the fault appears to be on the other party. This is not about fault or blame. It is about using the break in a relationship to learn, grow, set appropriate boundaries, negotiate clear working agreements, and clear up expectations and miscommunications.
When we demonstrate forgiveness at the team level, people feel safe to express themselves fully, which leads to greater creativity, innovation, and risk taking. People will work harder and have more "courageous conversations" because they feel recognized and appreciated. They are willing to play full out because they feel safe to voice their concerns as well as their dreams and aspirations. Forgiveness leads to an empowered, fully functioning team.
Organizations that develop a culture of forgiveness (and gratitude) will breed authentic, courageous, and open conversations based on its values and vision, as well as its current commitments and strategic objectives. There will be pride in the organization. Customer satisfaction will soar because people will bring the quality of joy and satisfaction to their work and customers. In a forgiving organization, people will want to stay and work towards the organization's success and that of their fellow employees. A true sense of community will arise within the organization.
People in many organizations that I visit do not feel valued and appreciated, let alone recognized. Forgiveness and gratitude always go together. Taking the time to offer support to people when they have made a mistake or failed bonds them to the community and gives them a sense of belonging. Celebration of people's greatness is more empowering than trying to fix their flaws and weaknesses. If we truly want to create a more nurturing, compassionate workplace where people feel a sense of purpose and meaning, it is essential to make gratitude and forgiveness a regular practice. It not only makes sense to treat people with compassion and understanding, it makes business sense. The organizations that grow and thrive in the twenty-first century are the ones that create an environment of thriving in the workplace by practicing the principles of compassionate leadership.