This month’s Key, Integrity, is closely related to how we communicate with each other and how we show up in relationships. Communication skills are essential in fostering healthy relationships, and having the right tools at our disposal leads to better relationships and more success in life.

Mistakes are inevitable. We ALL know that Failure Leads to Success! But even when we do our absolute best to live a life of integrity and honor, emotions can sometimes take over. We may sometimes find ourselves saying things we don’t mean or doing things we know we shouldn’t do. When an apology is needed, the 4-Part Apology is a communication tool that allows us to resolve conflict in a thoughtful and supportive manner instead of in anger or defense. It’s an effective strategy to use with friends, family, students and even teachers. Here’s how it works:

Acknowledge: Take responsibility, or ownership, for what you’ve done. There’s no such thing as a sincere apology without an acknowledgment! Use “I” statements to show that you’re the one behind the actions.

Example: “I acknowledge that I hurt your feelings when I said those things about you.”

Apologize: The words “I apologize” are much more powerful than just “sorry.” Apologize using these words outright! Acknowledge the cost to anyone involved. If you’re unaware of the cost, then just ask.

Example: “I apologize for hurting you and I realize that I may have upset our friendship.”

Make it Right: Ask the person or people affected by your actions, “Is there anything I can do to make it right?” If they don’t have anything specific in mind, offer something.

Example: “What can I do to make it right?”

Recommit: Make a recommitment to appropriate behavior in the future! Express that you plan on doing your best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “I agree to try and speak with good purpose from now on.”

Clearing the air with the 4-Part Apology relieves tension and helps us to genuinely resolve conflicts. It releases positive energy, creates synergy between all those involved (especially if it’s been building up for a long time) and allows everyone to just move on! The power of the 4-Part Apology lies in its ability to demonstrate that we’re taking responsibility for our actions (ownership). When the people in our lives realize that we’re willing and able to do that, they’ll be more open and trusting with us and our relationships will be better. And as Bobbi DePorter once said, “Communication is the universal relationship fuel. Communication grows relationships and relationships grow success.”

 Want more? Here’s a video from Steve on the 4-Part Apology.

The post Communication Tools Foster Healthy Relationships: The 4-Part Apology appeared first on SuperCamp.

Today was a beautiful end to a beautiful experience at SuperCamp.

Our Parent Workshop was fabulous—very informative and Karen was at her finest. She demonstrated her talent for captivating an audience while imparting crucial knowledge that just flows into you.

She taught our campers’ parents what we experienced this week, some of the things we learned and how to support their campers at home to continue their personal and academic growth. Karen taught our SuperParents SLANT, OTFD, AAMR, the 3 Big Brain Ideas, mind-mapping and other foundational SuperCamp strategies, all while sharing heart-warming experiences from camp and getting them as amped up about camp as their students are.

Once our Parent Workshop was complete and our SuperParents were schooled on their ‘Power-Whooshes,’ our SuperCamp graduates filed into the main room and joined in celebrating their accomplishments. As expected, graduation was powerful and inspiring. Tears of joy flowed as campers reunited with their families, and tears of sorrow flowed as campers said goodbye to their new friends. I too found myself tearing up, so proud and happy for these families and also wishing I could take all of my new SuperCamp friends with me.

These Facilitators are not only extraordinary teachers, but they are exceptional people. They walk the walk and talk the talk in everything they do. Their goodness and positive energy is contagious and makes you feel great just to be around them. I am honored to call these amazing people my new friends.

Leaving SuperCamp was bittersweet indeed. Yes, I was excited to see my family.  Yes, I was looking forward to ending the science experiment that was my hair, which began by choosing precious minutes of sleep over glamour.  And yes, I was looking forward to getting off my feet and back to my desk job – these little piggies went ‘weeeee’ all the way home!

But I was also sorry to say goodbye to my new friends and the most adorable 113 middle-schoolers ever. I was worried that I will lose the momentum I’ve gained in the past few days; that I will get distracted by my everyday life and revert to the status quo, forgetting my goals and new learning strategies. I was sad and nervous to leave this incredibly positive, supportive SuperCamp embrace and return to the ‘real world.’

I am so fortunate and grateful to be able to return to work at QLN where I can have a tiny dose of SuperCamp each day. I really wish every student and every teacher in every school could have the same SuperCamp experiences and education in their schools each day. I now understand the mission of our Quantum Learning Education division of QLN, which is striving to do just that. I hope I get the opportunity to support them in creating a Quantum Learning movement. If you would like to help with that cause too, please call us at 800-285-3276 extension 111, or visit www.QuantumLearning.com to learn how.

I am counting down the days to when I get to return to SuperCamp next year!
339 days to go!!!

Thank you to the Facilitators who changed my life this week:
Karen, thank you for your wisdom and excellence in everything you do.
Brett, thank you for your passion and talent in everything you do.
Lucy, thank you for your joy and energy in everything you do.
Silvia, thank you for your compassion and positivity in everything you do.
Many Thanks to QLN for allowing me this opportunity to learn and grow.
With love and great admiration, Marinda

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