July steeped us in some record high temperatures which led me to do some deep thinking in front of fans and out on the lakes with my kayak. 

I have been thinking and starting to research about the impact of curiosity in the workplace. How does HOW we ask questions and approach conflict shift when curiosity is centered; further ruminating on how this may also intersect with creating a stronger sense of inclusion and belonging among employees at UC ANR.

Initial research points towards curiosity being a way to deepen relationships and create empathetic active listening which can often allow conflict to be solved constructively with the ability of each member in the conflict to see the perspective of others. Professional conflict is often a catalyst for creative innovation. A former collaborator on applied improvisation in the office led attendees in a mantra of 'Through becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, pushing beyond my mental boundaries and seeing others' boundaries, I will find the opportunities to lead us through our big goals.' 

When conflict is interpersonal and negative emotions are rising, curiosity has the capacity to lower these tensions. So, what is the language to engender this curiosity within a negative conversation with co-workers or managers? How do we move ourselves and the other person into the curious zone? Here are three possible steps that may help: 

1. Take a breath. Breathing in through your nose and out your mouth 4 - 5 times helps to bring the physiological responses to conflict to a more manageable level. 

2. Reframe and mirror the words or situation back to the person you are speaking with, “So if I understand you correctly……..”

3. State your position or idea. “My perspective is that ….” or “My understanding is….” or “The way I was approaching this was….”

4. Now get curious. “Tell me about your perspective on….” or “How does what you are saying relate to the work we need to do?” or “Please share why you felt the need to say ….”

These are a few beginning thoughts on how curiosity could be a catalyst for engendering a shift for yourself in approaching conflict. Let me know your feedback if you try this out in the office - what was the impact or response from colleagues. I am ‘curious' to learn more about the possible intersection of curiosity and belonging in the workplace.

ON THE ROAD in JULY

Heading north this month I was honored to join Greg Ira, Director of the Environmental Stewards Program, to support a facilitation discussion around issues of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in environmental education at the 30th Anniversary of the California Environmental Education Interagency Network (CEEIN) hosted at Granite Bay State Park. Learning about the history and impact of this network and the partnerships that have been created and are still being developed brought back memories of my time in K12 education and the impact these types of programs and partnerships had on the students I taught. 

Walking down to the Valley Conference room in Davis, the HR team warmly invited me to join their all staff meeting. Grouping into tables of 3-5 colleagues, each member brainstormed ways to articulate and operationalize our ANR Principles of Community. One team even created a rap song which they shared with the group.

Glenn County UCCE Staff: Christine Kampamann, Betsy Karle (County Director), Lea Eddy, Jamie Marron, Jamie Ott (Tehama County), Curt Pierce, Rachel Lee (Director UC ANR Publications), Becky Wheeler-Dykes, Sheron Violini (Associate Director Government & Community Relations) 

Traveling north up to Glenn County UCCE, I road tripped with Rachel Lee (Director UC ANR Publications) and Sheron Violini (Associate Director of Government & Community Relations) to join Betsy Karle, County Director, and her team at their monthly staff meeting. We laughed and connected over stories of our favorite summer memories.  Each member collaborated and shared their expertise of how we may want to operationalize the ANR Principles of Community (A visual of a three-legged race) and articulated some simplified buckets to group the more detailed points already written. Most importantly, I learned about their community and the positive impact they are each having with youth, farms, and ranches.

For each person I met this month, thank you for sharing yourself and your experiences, helping me to practice my ‘curiosity muscle'.

CONTACT

Interested in sharing ideas and challenges? Please visit the following feedback form: https://forms.gle/AWCinz3MYWGhzH5n9

Wish to discuss an issue directly with me, email: emoon@ucanr.edu , call 530-883-1174 (Ext 1612) or connect with me in-person.