Integrity Matters Broadcasts
February 7 , 2008
Good management and solid personal relationships, including marriage, mean paying attention to the needs – and feelings – of others, consistently.
Jim Bracher's Integrity Matters newspaper column, The Salinas Californian, on February 6, 2008.
Dear Jim:
February 6, 2008, Integrity Matters weekly newspaper column:
What does it take to make a marriage lasting and meaningful?
Response:
On December 18, 2007, my wife, Jane, and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary. For marriages to last, while remaining vital and inspirational, integrity-centered friendship is essential. Being married to a saint helps!
In reality, prudent husbands and wives operate on the assumption that 100 percent partnerships are built on 80/20 give-and-take, each acknowledging that the other partner is likely and regularly giving the 80 percent. Not only does this encourage extra tolerance when things become tense, but it also often creates a feeling of sincere indebtedness (healthy guilt) that sustains balance in the relationship. Appreciation and mutual respect open the doors for honest and constructive dialogue. Planning, problem-solving and implementing priorities demands sacrifices, that, when made graciously, solidify many relationships.
Reflecting on our marriage of 41 years, four inspiring behaviors were and remain essential: listen, learn, laugh and love:
- Listening, the magic of giving undivided and empathetic attention, solidifies trust between a husband and wife. Effective listening is more than simply taking notice; it requires taking action on what someone says. Such singular focus on another individual creates powerful connections with spouses, family members, friends and yes, in the work world, key associates.
- Learning is a lifelong pursuit for those committed to growth, health and vitality. Learning extends to openness regarding inevitable changes of one's marriage partner. The person we marry is unlikely to stay the same, given the challenges, opportunities, sacrifices and experiences that are a part of life. Exposure to new ideas and friends can keep the mind and spirit curious. Continuous learning prevents hardening of the arteries and calcification of attitudes.
- Laughing with each other is critical. Humor can defuse tension, challenge arrogance and humble haughtiness, while softening anger, disappointment and sorrow. Heartfelt laughter is neither insensitive nor dismissive and helps partners find the lighter side of circumstances, reducing stress. Smiles lighten loads and lift spirits along with words like thank you.
- Love provides marriage partners emotional and physical bonds. When friction tests the metal of the relationship, slowing down long enough to weld the broken connections has incredible impact. Love requires time, space and respect. Children are the first to feel the love and first to notice its absence - even when they are young. Love is the generous and gracious investment of energy in another human being.
Without belaboring the obvious, it is not a “long putt” to apply these same interpersonal principles to effective organizational leadership and management. Pay attention, grow, smile and care (an application of the basics: listen, learn, laugh and love). Over and over, the words of Maya Angelou underscore the same point:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
The basics really don’t change that much, whether at home or at work. And, every time, integrity matters.
Thanks.
Jim Bracher
James F. Bracher
Founder
Dimension Five Consultants, Inc.
Bracher Center for Integrity in Leadership
P.O. Box 22467
Carmel, California 93922
www.brachercenter.com
James F. (Jim) Bracher, Director
Executives in Residence
Foundation of CSUMB
California State University Monterey Bay
100 Campus Center,
Building 201 - Suite 101
Seaside, California 93955
Phone: direct: 831-582-5038
jfb2c@brachercenter.com
Ruby Sanchez (831) 582-5015
(831) 582-5019 Fax
