There are a number of powerful tools in our Collaborative toolbox.  Empathy and hope are two of the strongest tools.  Empathy is that ability to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes and to better understand the other person by getting to know their perspective.  Once we have empathy for someone else’s feelings it becomes easier to give them hope for their future.

However, the most powerful tool we have is the ability to LISTEN.  The less we as professionals talk and the more we listen to our clients, the greater the chance of success in the Collaborative Process.  When I think of the cases that have been the most difficult, usually someone’s inability to listen to others on the team has been the reason.

Listen to understand.  Listen to find out what matters and how much it matters.  Ask genuine, curious, and open questions with the hope of learning more.

Many of our IACP Ethical Standards are built around the need to listen and be mindful of others.  They include the self-determination standards as well as the self-reflection standards.

By spending time listening to your clients and to the other team members you will build trust and put your Collaborative matter on the road to success.