Emotional safety. One of the most important aspects of connection / relationship
- It is expressing who you are, including your hurts, fears, and dreams. It’s expressing yourself authentically, sharing dissatisfaction, fears, and insecurities, and having a conversation without it blowing up into an argument. It’s sharing without fear of shaming, yelling, or rejection.
- Why does emotional safety matter; When we trust, that someone else can see, hear, and understand us, we relax more with them. We open up about who we are and feel connected. Emotional safety is reciprocal. When we are safe for someone else, we deepen our relationship.
- When you feel emotionally safe, you are more likely to be your ‘best self’ and contribute to your greatest ability. You are free to dream, collaborate, create, share, and express yourself. When we open up and do this in a safe environment, we invite others to do the same.
- How to build emotional Safety; Recognizing what not to do in relationships. We may not be aware of the subtle ways we cause harm with sarcasm, blaming, bulling or shaming others. Instead, traits like respect, kindness, and appreciation foster safety.
- A lack of emotional safety leads to disconnection. Disconnection is a massive threat to a relationship. When we feel disconnected, we begin to feel lonely and distant,
Public Choice Theory
Public Choice presents as a research program dating back to mid 20th Century. The research looks at the theoretical gap in what was predominantly a Political/Govt driven economy post WW2. Western democracies allocated between 1/3 to ½ of their total product through Political institutions rather than free Markets. (Published by American Inst for Economic Research, James Buchanan Public Choice Theory)
In essence, the 3rd level facing our Communities is Local Govt = Councils. The Theory then supports the analysis that the allocation of Time & Funds favors ‘Majority’ groups, receiving majority outcomes.… whatever they be; supply of goods and services, venues, contracts, facilities etc.
The implication is, that ‘Minority’ groups in that ‘space’ will be ‘discriminated’, one way or another. The ideal goal is therefore to provide ‘stability across all groups’. Eg everyone is considered and sees proportionate or fair outcomes.
Involvement in Forums & Local Government Act Handbook creation appears to uphold that Theory through the comments raised by many ‘Community’ Groups. Local Government are becoming aware of voices from their Communities, but Community Engagement at ‘our level’ is still working through Policy development and acceptance suggesting ‘Health and Wellbeing Policies’ are still on the horizon.
The Theory upholds the notion that the small Communities and Groups within any Local Government are likely still ‘discriminated’ against. Clubs, Associations and Programs get time, effort, and funds (Incorporated Bodies)
The Challenge
One hypothesis under consideration – That ‘Our’ Communities are effectively a Major ‘casual unstructured’ group of multi-language, nationality, age, health, socio economic …… a complex yet socially simple group of all Residents who ‘Demographically’ tick all the boxes.
Yet we have structured behaviors and consistent needs and fundamentally represent the heart of a 20 minute neighborhood. (all requirements for Transport, Shopping, Recreation, Exercise, Social Interaction etc. All within that 20 min radius.)
The challenge, therefore, is how to structure & engage our group (Communities) such that we can present as that Majority Community structure.
The tasks considered to achieve this are; to get user NUMBERS, factual data, Quantify, Specify, create evidence-based arguments ….. Then re-present that to Local Government as the basis of needs for considering ‘us’ in broad-based Health and Welfare programs for the Future.
Whilst our online Community & Casual Users outnumber the Sports Clubs many many times over, yet we are not considered or treated formerly as “Stakeholders” as we are not ‘Incorporated’.
Irrespective of our Rates, importance to the broader Community, users of resources, creation of wealth and social needs. Local Government has NO operational / statistical data on Casual / Dog walkers, Visitors, School Programs, Environmental needs, or the Mental Health benefits of developing Public Areas. These areas represent a common meeting point for the broader Community and LoG should be creating tools and processes to help them and to engage with those Groups. We experience the same challenges, engaging with the diverse group of ‘ourselves’, to facilitate sharing information on a timely and relevant basis. Eg Notice boards, QR Signs and links related to ‘our’ needs.. Time to engage, consult, listen and learn.
