• About Us
  • Contact Us
Account
GTB
  • Home
  • News
  • Premium
  • Business
  • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Retail/Fashion
  • Podcast
    • Business Chat
    • Retiring Richly
    • Sika Nkommo
  • Videos
  • Analysis/Features
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Premium
  • Business
  • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Retail/Fashion
  • Podcast
    • Business Chat
    • Retiring Richly
    • Sika Nkommo
  • Videos
  • Analysis/Features
No Result
View All Result
Account
Ghana Talks Business
No Result
View All Result

Disagreeing Well: Do Forgiveness

16/01/2017
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsApp

Les Miserables opens with Jean Valjean completing a 19-year prison sentence for stealing bread to feed his starving nephew. As with so many ex-offenders, it is difficult for Jean Valjean to re-enter into society. A kind Bishop takes Valjean into his home, but is repaid when Valjean steals his silver and runs away. When the police catch Valjean and bring him and the silver back, the Bishop tells the police that he had given the silver to Valjean and makes a show of giving him the even more valuable silver candlesticks that he had ‘forgotten.’ The Bishop forgives Valjean, and challenges him to become an honest man.

Les Miserables is an incredible story of wild and extravagant forgiveness that is not expected, deserved or merited. The Bishop, having been wronged, extends his grace so that Valjean will not return to prison. Forgiveness is difficult, not easy, it is costly, not cheap, it is sometimes asked for and other times simply given.

Forgiveness is the essential requirement for repairing relationships that have been damaged through disagreeing badly. It begins with a realisation and recognition that something has gone wrong – “I realise I have hurt you.” The next step is to express remorse and regret – “I’m so sorry I didn’t intend to.” Thirdly it’s important to ask for restoration and restitution – “Please will you forgive me.” Finally, it offers reassurance – “I promise I won’t do it again.”

Sometimes these four steps to repairing relationships merge together. When there is significant hurt, then deliberately teasing out each step can help the journey of forgiveness. On some occasions, the assistance of a third party facilitator or mediator can help in the process of putting things right. There was a work situation where someone felt aggrieved by me, and so we used a mediator to help us hear each other and clear the air, which was a huge help.

Some people unfortunately make friends with un-forgiveness; they feed it, water it and nurture it. Just like a weed in the garden; the longer you leave un-forgiveness, the more it takes root and the harder it is to remove. It creates bitterness and resentment which makes positive relationships increasingly more difficult.

Author: Matt Bird is the creator of Relationology a unique approach to achieving business growth through the power of relationships. He is an international keynote speaker and author of Relationology 101.

Previous Post

Establish Trust Before Delegating Big Decisions

Next Post

The African economies to watch in 2017

Related Posts

Disagreeing Well: The bigger picture

30/01/2017

Disagreeing Well: Yes Compromise

03/01/2017

The 7 Behaviours: Give To Grow

05/12/2016

The 7 Behaviours: Befriend People Unlike You

22/11/2016

The 7 Behaviours: Build Business Through Referrals

07/11/2016

Amplify your purpose by building a Relationship, not an Organisation

10/10/2016
Next Post

The African economies to watch in 2017

Aid in reverse: how poor countries develop rich countries

  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Ghana Talks Business

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Premium
  • Business
  • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Retail/Fashion
  • Podcast
    • Business Chat
    • Retiring Richly
    • Sika Nkommo
  • Videos
  • Analysis/Features
  • Login

© 2023 Ghana Talks Business

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In