EMPATHY

This past week I had to deal with my first real confrontation at work. I was pretty upset to have to have this conversation, but I knew it had to happen in the spirit of open communication and so later on she wouldn't feel bombarded. After I finished saying that I needed to and asking if she had any questions, the person I was talking to just got up and left without saying goodbye or anything, which is very rare of her. I have only ever really seen her upbeat and positive.

Only with the issue I discussed with her in mind, I formulated in my mind that she was unapologetic about the situation and knew it was an issue that she was not willing to fix. I was upset by this and worried about how my relationship with her would change over the next few months that we still have to work together. 

The next day I sent her a text on some unrelated information that she would need to have. We texted back and forth for a while before she finally called me. I wanted to give her the time she needed to cool off and I realize I needed that too. When she called she asked questions about the situation we had discussed the day before and I gave her our plan of action. Then, she surprised me by apologizing for her actions the day before. She talked about how it had been a tough day with school, work, and other life things.

It is so easy for us to make assumptions about other people. Talking with her made me realize that we both have different priorities and that it is so important to take the other person's feelings into account. We never know what else they are dealing with. 

I remember being a member in the house and thinking about how some people did not have the chapter's best interest at heart. Looking back now I realize they did, but it was from their perspective. We can have differing views as long as we are willing to hash them out together. 

This is definitely one of the most beneficial lessons I learned from being in a sorority that I needed as a little reminder. It is always important to take other's feelings and priorities into consideration when confronting them.