"Seek first to understand, then to be understood." - Stephen R. Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
When you are passionate about something, it is natural to try to get your point across. You are so certain that if the other party just saw things your way, they would change their minds and agree with you. The problem is, everyone feels that way. Everyone wants to be understood, not as many are interested in understanding another point-of-view.
Black Oak Arkansas has a song that includes the words "Everybody wants to make it, nobody wants to try. Everybody wants to see heaven, nobody wants to die." It is normal to want to reap good results and to have people see your point-of-view. But you have to be willing to see someone else's point-of-view as well.
This is an important lesson to learn in life in general, but especially as a CASA volunteer. Your role is to listen to the child(ren) and speak for them. You can't enter the situation with preconcieved notions of what should be done. You need to get to know your child. Know where he came from. Know what are her goals in life. Then you can help them. But you have to set aside your own agenda and opinions before you can be an effective advocate.
by Melody K. Coehoorn
When you are passionate about something, it is natural to try to get your point across. You are so certain that if the other party just saw things your way, they would change their minds and agree with you. The problem is, everyone feels that way. Everyone wants to be understood, not as many are interested in understanding another point-of-view.
Black Oak Arkansas has a song that includes the words "Everybody wants to make it, nobody wants to try. Everybody wants to see heaven, nobody wants to die." It is normal to want to reap good results and to have people see your point-of-view. But you have to be willing to see someone else's point-of-view as well.
This is an important lesson to learn in life in general, but especially as a CASA volunteer. Your role is to listen to the child(ren) and speak for them. You can't enter the situation with preconcieved notions of what should be done. You need to get to know your child. Know where he came from. Know what are her goals in life. Then you can help them. But you have to set aside your own agenda and opinions before you can be an effective advocate.
by Melody K. Coehoorn