Thanks To Those Who Put Their Hand, (and head) Up.
Last night I sat and watched a media item on a new suicide prevention campaign launched in New Zealand by a well-known advocate, Mike King. I get nervous when I see people putting themselves out there in the media like this, opening themselves to criticism, ridicule, and scorn.
And he's not the only one who is doing so, there's Sir John Kirwan who encourages the need to talk openly about depression. There's so many others who champion the rights of equality, women, health, sexuality, freedom, peace, prisoner reform, bullying, the list goes on.
Why would someone do that, put their hand up to help others when they know that there is a fair chance that they are going to face negative comments or actions by others?
Sure, there might be some other motivator in behind the actual cause, but there are many other ways to satisfy that motivation without popping your head above the parapet leaving yourself vulnerable to being shot at.
It is a bold thing to do, even brave I suggest, to take on the 'system' in this way. It takes courage to speak out against what professional organisations are saying, to challenge people's knowledge, to go against common understanding, to say what you believe is right when you know that others will think quite differently.
It is never easy reading negative comments when you put your hand up in this way. You can't ignore it no matter who you are.
The impact on the person, their family, and their well-being can be enormous when they open themselves up to become a target for the negative world.
When I ponder as to why people would want to put their hand up knowing that they are going to rock the boat in some way, I always come to the same conclusion, because it might help just one person. And that's what it is all about, helping each other.
I have two challenges for you to consider; put your hand up when you believe in something as passionate as those who currently do so, and, resist the urge to comment negatively on those who risk themselves to help others.
It's about time that we started working together, to try new things, to challenge conventional practices, to rock the boat a little, and to support those who dare to put their hand up.
For those who currently put themselves out there to help others, thank you for doing so.
Lance, a former police crisis negotiator and personnel development manager, now has a business providing enhanced communication and personal resilience support to businesses and organisations across all industries; https://www.warninternational.com/
Lance is the author of Behind The Tape - https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Tape-Gripping-real-life-negotiator-ebook/dp/B01EH172QC
Connect with me at; https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/warnlance.
Psychology [Habits, Health, Robots, Spirituality]
7 年Over the last few years, I've been deliberately sticking my head and my hand up for four key reasons. 1. courage is contagious. 2. I know speaking out about my own stuff helps others to realise they are not alone - and for a profoundly social species as humans that is profoundly important. 3. Regret is unpleasant but useful. I have regret over the times I didn't speak out. 4. The epiphany that pretty much eliminated my fear of being attacked for speaking out was realizing that the bullies are going to try and bully me regardless of whether I play small or play big. I'm making it worth my while. Thanks again Lance Burdett for putting your thoughts on humanity out there & encouraging others to do the same.
Team Manager at NZ AA Roadservice
7 年totally agree with you on this one Lance. people should get behind the likes of Mike King & John Kirwan. Great read thanks Lance.
Information Architect | Senior Business Analyst | Solution Architect | M365-tamer
7 年Thanks Lance for another thoughtful article. I know I spent too many years with ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ syndrome. I.e. too afraid to say what I really thought. That ‘look good, and avoid looking bad’ culture is a product of our up-bringing and education (I wrote a blog about that earlier in the year: https://www.stratsim.co.nz/new-blog/kill-the-chicken-pt-1), which has us wanting to play-it-safe, to conform. As Lance suggests, such a play-it-safe approach doesn’t serve you, your family, your organisation or our world. Worse, it erodes those most human of traits; love, hope, compassion.