Extend an Olive Branch

An olive branch has historically been used as a symbol of peace and reconciliation in various cultures. The phrase “extending an olive branch” implies the attempt to reconcile or the willingness to put aside past grievances and build a new relationship.

Why do I bring this up?

As training leaders, we carry the responsibility of building relationships and connections. If this is not established, it could be nearly impossible to set the stage for the changes needed in behavior that may be desired as the goal of any training objective.

It is important to remember that learners themselves bring experience, bias, and their own personal motivations into any learning interaction we may be responsible for. As the leader, we must extend the olive branch to create an environment where the learners are going to be receptive.

This mindset can be carried out outside of the learning environment as well. We lead in a complex and ever-changing social and business climate, which has become the norm. This brings along with it learners who have preconceived notions, walls built up, and uncertainty about the future. (As does our professional network of members, friends, and family…) We must take this into account in who, what, and how we train.

I encourage you to reflect to the last time you had the opportunity to reconcile in a relationship or build a new one and did (or didn’t). In what ways could you be the one to extend the olive branch first next time?