Meet Patti Damiani
I learned more about relational wisdom the hard way: through failure and gut-wrenching experiences. I was great at seeing issues - then quickly communicating what I saw! But without thought for timing, tone or tact.
As a new teacher in a quality school district, I had the best principal, team and classroom! But when we moved to a rural, Southern community - my teaching experience was completely different. My principal was inept; my teaching team was discouraged; and the working environment was downright toxic.
This is when the broken system I was working in began to reveal what was ‘broken in me’. I made all the classic mistakes.
Offending people. Saying right things, perhaps - but in all the wrong ways! Confronting injustices, for sure - but without consideration as to how my manner and mode were being experienced. So Instead of aligning people, I alienated them – thereby, squandering any opportunity for positive influence. I left the job feeling defeated, discouraged and disillusioned.
This painful experience was a ‘wake-up-call’ to my lack of others awareness. It was a jolt of reality that put me on the road of a much-needed journey – the road of relational wisdom.
Later, my relational roles became even more ‘up close and personal’: as a parent – a pastor’s wife – a ministry leader.
In these crucial relationships, I set out to learn what few books could teach:
- How to become more ‘other-centered’ in my communication – to listen intently; question deeply; speak cautiously
- How to set loving boundaries with reactive, controlling people
- How to have high-stakes conversations that demonstrate honor toward others and deepens trust
- How to best sow wisdom into the hearts of my children through their own relational challenges and conflicts
This was an uneven journey – far from perfect! But with each misstep, I sought to learn. Little by little…one conversation at a time…I began to change. As I changed, the more I began to see others around me change. I began to see my influence grow in a way that deeply satisfying.
That is why I became a Relational Wisdom Trainer and Coach. My deep desire is to equip others how to interact wise and well to those they lead and serve.
I finally began to recognize how my own relational weaknesses were causing relational wedges! Of how I was being heard and experienced by others that triggered their disproportionate reactions. The more I began to focus on how to say in a better way what needed to be said - it was ‘a game changer’. Not immediately, but over time. How I wish I could have learned relational wisdom principles much earlier.
Later, my relational roles became even more ‘up close and personal’: as a parent – a pastor’s wife – a ministry leader.
In these crucial relationships, I set out to learn what few books could teach:
- How to become more ‘other-centered’ in my communication – to listen intently; question deeply; speak cautiously
- How to set loving boundaries with reactive, controlling people
- How to have high-stakes conversations that demonstrate honor toward others and deepens trust
- How to best sow wisdom into the hearts of my children through their own relational challenges and conflicts
This was an uneven journey – far from perfect! But with each misstep, I sought to learn. Little by little…one conversation at a time…I began to change. As I changed, the more I began to see others around me change. I began to see my influence grow in a way that deeply satisfying.
That is why I became a Relational Wisdom Trainer and Coach. My deep desire is to equip others how to interact wise and well to those they lead and serve.
I finally began to recognize how my own relational weaknesses were causing relational wedges! Of how I was being heard and experienced by others that triggered their disproportionate reactions. The more I began to focus on how to say in a better way what needed to be said - it was ‘a game changer’. Not immediately, but over time. How I wish I could have learned relational wisdom principles much earlier.
What do you most wish to learn?
- To deepen your own self-awareness?
- To learn how to best manage yourself in those tense and tough conversations? With co-workers? Family members? Clients?
- How can you best engage them in a way that is productive?
Imagine how strong our teams and relationships could become if we all were growing like this!
Schedule an appointment to discuss how I might be able to serve you.
CERTIFICATIONS:
› ACC International Coach Federation
› Life and Leadership Coach with The Navigator
› CPLC Certified Professional Life Coach
› CPLC Certified Professional Leadership Coach