Explore the concept of emotional space in relationships and learn three ways to create healthy emotional space: tolerance, forgiveness, and self-regulation. Discover the importance of leaders in fostering growth and healing through tolerance, forgiveness, and apology.
Tolerance facilitates honest conversation and signals that it is okay to have differing viewpoints.
Forgiveness requires self-regulation and empathy, releasing bitterness and resentment to create healthy emotional space.
Deep dives
Creating Emotional Space: Tolerance
Tolerance is the first way to create healthy emotional space. By giving others the freedom to have their own beliefs, values, and opinions, even if they differ from yours, you enable them to be themselves without pressuring them to agree with you. Tolerance facilitates honest conversation, even in the face of disagreement, and signals that it is okay to have differing viewpoints.
Creating Emotional Space: Forgiveness
Forgiveness creates emotional space on the back end. It requires self-regulation and empathy, allowing you to keep your own anxieties, hurt, and reactivity from worsening difficult situations. Forgiveness does not mean letting others get away with hurting you, but rather releasing bitterness and resentment to give the relationship a chance to heal. It may not come immediately, but regulating your own emotions and offering forgiveness creates healthy emotional space.
Creating Emotional Space: Apology
Apology creates emotional space when you have hurt another person unintentionally. It involves acknowledging the pain you caused, owning your actions, and avoiding making excuses. Taking responsibility for self and repenting for hurting others fosters healthy emotional space. Apologizing without making excuses is crucial, as excuses undermine the sincerity of the apology.