Tell Me A Story: WHAT TO DO WHEN WE DISAGREE

Marcia Norwood
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

WHAT TO DO WHEN WE DISAGREE

Beka Horton, co-founder of A Beka Book and Pensacola Christian College, gave me some advice 30 years ago that has helped me time and time again.

I had the honor to meet Beka Horton (namesake for A Beka Book), and attend one of her classes on Christian womanhood at Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida.

Mrs. Horton spoke about employer/employee relations, and what to do when there is a disagreement.

Let's face it - there are bound to be disagreements in the workplace, at school, and at home.

We (parents, teachers, directors, leaders, employers, employees, siblings, spouses) are wise to know what to do when we disagree.

I memorized Mrs. Horton's advice, and put it into practice. I've been known to hand out copies of "What To Do When We Disagree" to people who work for me before a disagreement arises. I've also handed out copies to my own bosses, and others who I've worked with when there is a disagreement. It serves as a format for our discussions.

It continues to help me, and I hope it will help you.

Let me give you a practical example . . .

I was not yet 30 years old: a young wife and mother of two children, and director of two child care centers for a Christian school. My responsibilities included teaching preschool and kindergarten classes and supervising a staff of teachers: some older and some younger than me.

The building my classroom was in did not offer hot lunches for the students, although the hot lunch program was available for students in the main building. (That decision was made by the school administration - not by me.) Sometimes I went to the main building, and brought back a hot lunch for my son, Benjamin, who was in my building.

Edith, a teacher on my staff - who was old enough to be my mother - thanked me for sharing "What To Do When We Disagree." She spoke to me gently about offering the choice of hot lunches to all the students in our building.

Honestly, my plate was full, and I didn't want to add another responsibility to it (let alone start a new hot lunch transportation program) but I listened to Edith because of the way she approached me: as a LEARNER not a CRUSADER.

I listened.

Edith suggested the possibility of expanding the hot lunch program to other buildings. She asked if I had ever noticed the children's faces when I brought my son, Benjamin a hot lunch. I loved those students, and promised to pay more attention.

I explained:

It wasn't my idea not to have hot lunches in our building;
I didn't have the power to change it; and
I didn't really want to change it if it meant more work for me.

Edith had several ideas on how to bring hot lunches to our building. We followed Beka Horton's advice, and had a brainstorm session thinking together for creative solutions.

We prayed together.

Edith trusted God to bring hot lunches to children in our building. She NEVER mentioned it to me again. She didn't pout. She didn't lead a hot-lunch-crusade and recruit teachers to support her point. Her attitude toward me was pleasant and respectful. Edith trusted God to work through her authority: me - a gal young enough to be her daughter.

(Ever had a younger boss who you had to teach something to?)

I trusted God not to add another thing for me to do, but the next time I brought a hot lunch to Benjamin, I noticed the faces of the other children.

Edith was right. It wasn't fair. Giving a hot lunch to one student felt like favoritism. I had tried so hard NOT to show favoritism...even so far as to ask Ben to call me "Mrs. Norwood" in class - rather than Mom. (That was one piece of advice I got at Pensacola College that I lived to regret. Never do that by the way. I hurt my own son.)

It took almost a month. I met with my boss (using the "What To Do When We Disagree" format). He met with the powers that be, and we were able to bring hot lunches to all the students in our building.

Thanks to Edith.

Thanks to Beka Horton.

Thanks to God for granting wisdom to those who seek it.

"For the LORD gives wisdom;

from His mouth

come knowledge and understanding."

Proverbs 2:6

The Holy Bible

New International Version

CLICK on the link or COPY & PASTE the link in your browser:

http://biblehub.com/proverbs/2-6.htm

Try it!
Tell me your story.
Email: marcia.norwood@sbcglobal.net

What To Do When

We Disagree

GO as a LEARNER…not a CRUSADER.

LISTEN to the other person’s position.

EXPLAIN your position.

BRAINSTORM together for creative alternatives/solutions.

LEAVE it in God’s hands.

TRUST God to work through the person in authority.

Beka Horton, co-founder of A Beka Book and Pensacola Christian College, taught the Bible to children on a Pensacola TV station for over 20 years. Her experience teaching high school students and a ladies' Bible class gave her the ability to help all ages understand the Bible.

CLICK on the link or COPY & PASTE the link in your browser:

http://www.rejoicemusic.com/Category.aspx?c=342

In 1954, Dr. Arlin Horton and Beka Horton founded Pensacola Christian Academy. It remains a thriving Christian K-12 school. God led them to found Pensacola Christian College in 1974.

CLICK on the link or COPY & PASTE the link in your browser:

http://www.abeka.com/OurFoundation.aspx

Thanks for stopping by!

Come back often, and invite a friend!

Marcia Norwood
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

Read more about Conflict Resolution:
CLICK on the link or COPY & PASTE the link in your browser:

Tell Me A Story: B U L L Y - Blogger

Sep 03, 2013

After all, I've taught classes to adults and children on conflict resolution. I realized after two years of attacks, insults, and property damage that I needed help. I kept a journal, and made the police file reports for each incident ...

http://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

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Monday, June 9, 2014

WHAT TO DO WHEN WE DISAGREE

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