Make it Better by Checking In - The Power of How Are You

What a Long, Strange Trip it's been! Your world, my world, and the world as a whole has changed so much since I started sharing my views periodically in 2013.  Our worlds have changed over the last month, let alone since 2013.

What I started to create in 2013 were a set of suggestions for Businesses, Non Profits, and Educational Institutions that aspired to Doing Better at Doing Good.  I even thought I'd name the blog Better At Good.  

The relevant part is that my intention was to share thoughts on how to focus on appreciating how to make the entire experience of whatever you did, BETTER.

• Better for Yourself
• Better for Clients
• Better for Service Recipients
• Better for Volunteers
• Better for Students
• Better for Parents
• Better for Teachers
• Better for Communities

The Importance of making things better for people hasn't changed.  Just the need. And the way we go about it.

Health, Safety, and Security have always been important.  But never like they are now.  Before I can hope to make things better for someone, I need to check in on them.  I need to ask the simple question: How Are You?  And be prepared to listen:

Don't nod your head knowingly as in agreement
Focus on what they are saying, how they are saying it, and the speed with which it comes out
Focus on their emotional state
Listen and Focus and accept the silence as part of the process.

And when they seem to be done, be appreciative of their willingness to trust you with their burden
Also be mindful of the challenges of attempting to make things better.

You are making it better: Start by asking: How Are You