Now More Than Ever, We Need To Focus On The Three ‘Be-’s’

“Be.” It means to exist, occur, or take place.

When the prefix “be-” is added before a word, it transforms it into something that speaks to its ability to thoroughly and completely cause, make, or provide that word from all sides.

Be-, then, is about taking action.

And in today’s environment of social distancing, we’re challenged with taking some very specific actions:

To behave in such a way that minimizes our exposure to the coronavirus and its transmission to others through self-quarantining and stringent hygiene;

To believe that together, we’ll get through this crisis by maintaining a positive perspective, being creative in our business approach, and seeing the possibilities; and

To become leaders for our family, friends, and colleagues by creating environments and modeling behaviors that promote clarity of communication and accountability to the greater good.

But perhaps the most important actions to focus on are those that support the fundamental needs that each person shares: to be seen, to be heard, and to belong. Here’s how: 

Up your eye contact

It’s hard to feel “seen” when you can’t see your communication companion. Now’s the time to swap text messages and phone calls for video chats. During these virtual face-to-face meetings, use eye contact to signal that you’re present and engaged, which in turn affirms, and acknowledges others. 

Stop multitasking

It’s impossible to see and hear others while you’re doing three other things. Resist the temptation to multitask and instead focus on the person in front of you. Make it easier to do so by making your environment as distraction-free as possible by closing down tabs, silencing your phone, and turning off notifications.

When you stop multitasking, you’re free to look up and home in on those with you. And when you give someone your full, undivided attention, they’ll feel valued, which fosters feelings of trust and respect. 

Practice active listening

Active listening demonstrates respect, builds trust, and makes people feel valued. A skilled listener aims to understand better, not formulate a response to the person to whom they are listening. They also use their awareness of others to “hear” what is not being said by paying attention to inconsistencies in tone and body language and spotting incongruence. Better yet, their active listening creates a virtuous cycle: we naturally gravitate toward those who listen to us, and when we feel heard, we open up and share. 

Employ empathy

To become more empathetic, shift your mindset to put people first, seeing them as human beings rather than a means to the end of a transaction or task. See things from another’s perspective, and put yourself in their shoes. When you practice empathy, you’ll better understand your customers, colleagues, and partners, and then be able to use those insights in ways to better serve and communicate with them. Remember, it’s not about you; it’s about helping others feel valued.

Get curious

Build rapport with others by asking better questions and cultivating your sense of curiosity with others. Curious people ask lots of thoughtful and probing questions that draw out implications and feelings, leading them to develop a stronger understanding of the people around them, which in turn, fosters a deeper connection.

Connect (virtually) with your tribes

Research shows that social connections are the key to well-being. Our species is wired to belong, and isolating ourselves often leads to depression and loneliness; connection is linked to happiness.

During these trying times, connecting (virtually) with your tribes is critical to foster a sense of belonging. Go old school by sending people handwritten notes and writing letters. Pick up the phone for a quick chat with a client. Check in with your colleagues via text message. Initiate virtual team huddles and happy hours on video calls and create and converse in online groups to helps others feel more connected.

This article was first published on Forbes.com. Find it here, and Amy's other Forbes articles here.

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?Amy Blaschka is a social media ghostwriter who helps leaders craft their stories to communicate and connect better. Contact her if you'd like her help.?

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