Riley’s Rainforest: Consult and Connect
“Send down . . . from the clouds of Thy mercy the rains of Thy healing . . .”
— Bahá’u’lláh
Imagine you’re working on a big group science project, but your team is arguing and can’t pick a topic. Or your best friend’s birthday party is at the same time as a special family event. How do you make good decisions and stay connected with others?
Positive relationships with friends and family are important for your health and happiness. In fact, scientists say our brains are “wired” to connect with others. When we’re not focused on a specific job, our brain automatically goes back to searching for clues about other people and their feelings. That helps us cooperate and work together.
Even babies and toddlers collaborate by pointing to objects an adult is searching for. By age three, they learn to create rules and share group goals. When older kids cooperate, they develop better relationships and more self-esteem.
But having these skills doesn’t mean we’ll always agree. We each have unique thoughts and experiences, and cooperation can be tricky when we don’t see things the same way.
One tool that can help is consultation. It’s a way to work together to search for truth, discuss ideas, and make decisions with unity. When we consult, we look for ideas that everyone has to offer. Instead of arguing over whose opinion is best, we share opinions calmly and listen with love and humility.
The next time you face a challenge, invite friends to consult with you. You can hear new ideas and strengthen friendships.
Explore and Soar: Caring Consultation
Try these ideas for consulting with love and respect.
- Start with a prayer, if possible. A reverent tone helps prepare our hearts and minds.
- State goals and priorities clearly, so everyone understands.
- Speak with moderation and courtesy. If you get upset, slow down and remember that you all have the same goal.
- Gather and share the facts, so your decisions aren’t based on opinions.
- Offer your ideas, then let them go. Detachment and humility help you stay open-minded to different perspectives.
- Give everyone a chance to speak. Listen to and carefully consider each idea.
- Be patient and keep a sense of humor, even if there are challenges.
- When a decision is made, create a plan, and support it in unity.
Curiosity Canopy
When we consult, there are four other C’s that are important to keep in mind: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Many educators and leaders agree that these are the most important skills for success. They’re also keys to effective consultation.
Photos: Two girls by Stockbyte, boy by Wavebreakmedia, three girls by asiseeit
Characters493 Riley112 Science and Health55 Consultation43 Teamwork141 Teams13 Decisions6 Cooperation106 Critical Thinking4 Communication155 Creativity295 Riley’s Rainforest49 Communities57 Openness39