As I pondered the human tragedy of Afghanistan, I asked myself questions that seemed related in some way, which were around how I/we value others. Here are some that challenged me in my safe world.
1. How do we demonstrate our values in our work, within our family and in our social circle?
2. When someone needs our support – how do we discern when the time has come to help them stand in their own strength?
3. When someone lets us down, how do we respond?
4. If we have a boss at work or a senior member of the family who tries to control what we do or how we do it, do we go along with it for a peaceful life or stand up to them?
I heard yesterday about a woman in her first job, being publicly criticised by the CEO over the content of her presentation. Later she was told by a colleague that he does that to everyone and she had done well in the circumstances. Allegedly this boss is kind at other times.
• What advice would you give her?
• Would you have spoken up for her at that meeting?
• Whose role is it to let a CEO, or other person in a powerful position, know that their behaviour is bullying?
These questions may not have an easy answer. What’s your take on the above?
