https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-thr5j-115f6b6
Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of Season Two – 2022!
In this episode, I speak with Jerry Fu, a conflict resolution coach who helps Asian-American leaders advance in their career and life journeys.
Click HERE for Accessible Transcript
Jerry and I discuss his experiences growing up as a first generation child of Tawainese immigrant parents in America and how he used these experiences for conflict resolution in his professional work. Jerry provides insight on leadership, resolving conflicts, and embracing your own experiences to better yourself and to better others around you.
While Jerry experienced many instances of cultural and racial aggression, and stereotyping as an Asian American, he maintains a positive attitude and a desire to encourage awareness and understanding in those who would contribute to the marginalisation of diverse people groups. He explains that ignorance is unacceptable, because we are too connected, and adheres to an ethos of teaching and learning to do things differently, and that conflict resolution can be a powerful mirror to being seen, heard and respected on both sides of conflict. He says uncomfortable conversations are important because if you don’t have them, change cannot happen.
Jerry shares three of his many powerful life hacks including 1. Don’t waste time on people who aren’t willing to change their minds on things. 2. Whatever you decide is your decision and you need to live with the consequences. If you don’t like the outcome, you have the power to change it. 3. Go global. Open yourself up to a wider worldview.
Jerry has a gentle yet effective approach to conflict resolution and believes that using our own struggles with conflict is a very important aspect of successfully mediating conflict. He shares several mistakes that he has made in the past as wise words of advice for us all that include: avoidance, charging ahead, over compensating, interrupting and insisting on taking sides.
He also suggests enacting the five C’s in conflict mediation encouraging Compassion, Courage, Curiosity, Collaboration, and Closure. Jerry says that success doesn’t always mean restoring relationships to 100% but going forward in a positive manner. In conflict, we must listen to listen, not listen to respond.
Jerry shares stories and anecdotes that are so useful in tense situations within our workplace, schoolplace, or within our community. He is a fount of positivity, gentle and wise. Come, #ListenAndLearn
Engage - Inspire - Transform 