I think we overuse the word ‘trigger’ when really we mean discomfort. We should be able to have uncomfortable conversations.
-Loretta J. Ross, college professor
Dear Friend,
"Calling people out" can be done under the guise of direct communication and getting people on the same page, but what it often does is isolate, embarrass, or create disconnection.
Calling people out communicates, "You're in trouble" or "You're wrong."
So how do leaders directly address an issue and still maintain anabolic energy?
They call people in.
Calling people in requires engagement with a different kind of energy. Calling people in means:
let's reconcile
let's suspend judgment
let's have an important conversation with a outcome that feels good to both of us
Calling people in takes a courageous leader who wants to create his or her culture to be open, productive, and inviting.
Challenge: Next time you feel the need to "call someone out," reframe the conversation to "call someone in" and see what changes in your approach.
