Hilltops

Happy Friday!

Those who have worked with me and know me well, will know I often talk about ‘Hilltops’ in my work.

A hilltop symbolises an individuals....

🗻Position or perspective

🗻Opinions

🗻Ideas

🗻Achievements

🗻Personal boundaries

🗻Experiences

🗻Own journey

Respecting and understanding others’ hilltops means you are able to…

✔️Listen to and acknowledge their opinions (you don’t have to agree with them)

✔️Acknowledge their experiences and achievements

✔️Listen to their point of view

✔️Avoid undermining or dominating

✔️Avoid imposing your views/ideas without listening and acknowledging theirs (it’s

of course ok to challenge as appropriate BUT when you have done the above)

For example:

-If someone has shared with you their experience and journey to get to where they are today; you are able to listen, you are curious and you acknowledge.

-If you disagree with another viewpoint; you are able to listen respectfully and recognise that they may see things differently on their hilltop from yours, before jumping in from your hilltop.

Often we are too quick to share or impose our own views, opinions and ideas without giving the other person the chance to share theirs. Sometimes we do this vocally or we do this inside ourselves meaning we are not listening or respecting the other person. I see this a lot in business and also in life generally!

Asking about someones’ holiday and then five seconds later telling them about your experience when you went there

Asking for someones’ views and ideas for a project and then instantly dismissing them or projecting your own too quickly

Acknowledging someone’s achievements but then quickly sharing yours to compare

Here’s how you can develop your ability to respect others hilltops...

💡Listen to understand not to just reply

💡Separate the person from the opinion

💡Ask curious and clarifying questions

💡Show interested in others’ experiences

💡Avoid comparison

💡Respect the boundaries of others

💡Disagree respectfully and assertively

💡Celebrate others without comparison

💡Avoid interrupting

💡Respect that different experiences shape beliefs

💡Be open to changing your mind

💡Use calm and respectful language during disagreements

💡Know when to pause

💡Always stay curious

I work with many individuals, teams and businesses to help them to develop the above skills and attributes. I'd be delighted to have a discussion with you if you'd like to find out more.

Have a super weekend ahead!