Embracing Heart-Driven Relationships: Beyond the Bottom Line

By Ebony Welborn, Sea Potential, LLC

Photo courtesy of Sea Potential, LLC. Ebony Welborn

What does it mean to make choices that are not simply based on economic drivers?

What does it mean when you make a decision based on what you know about a person or want to build with a person?

What does it mean when you take time to know the individual person and not just categorize them into a group?

Defining Heart-Based Relationships

At Sea Potential, the answer lies in the heart-based relationship— empathizing with the complexities of sentient beings, communities, or ecosystems in order to foster reciprocal relationships. This is what we strive towards at Sea Potential. An important emphasis for us in the definition we created is that we did not want to hold this definition exclusively for human relationships. We really wanted this definition to be meant for all members of the community. At the core of Sea Potential's ethos is the recognition that genuine connections extend beyond economic transactions. But what does this concept entail, and how does it inform the fabric of Sea Potential's organizational structure?

To truly grasp the essence of heart-based relationships, it's essential to examine its key components: observation, joy, commitment, and growth. These pillars serve as guiding principles, shaping interactions and fostering authentic connections in every aspect of our organization's work. I'll dedicate some time to defining our foundational pillars.  I want to take the time to identify each component and how it shows up on each side of our organizational tracks.

Observation

Observation–of individuals, their environment, and the dynamics of peer-to-peer relationships forms the bedrock of understanding in heart-based relationships. It involves keenly observing not only the outward expressions of individuals but also their environment, nonverbal communications and the dynamics of peer-to-peer relationships. This practice not only enhances empathy but also cultivates a culture of reflection and highlights the intricate interconnections that bind us together.

In our corporate training initiatives, we create opportunities for participants to connect with non-verbal aspects. For instance, we may introduce an opening game that encourages participants to use their bodies rather than words to connect with the natural environment. This mirrors the approach used in the youth program, allowing participants to initially perceive and observe elements possibly beyond their common ways of communicating and interacting.

For instance, in our youth programs, we typically begin by offering participants the chance to first observe their surroundings before engaging in activities. We consistently incorporate a discussion on the site's history, which enables participants to establish a connection with the space. During site histories, we encourage participants to engage their senses fully, encompassing taste, smell, sight, touch, and hearing to observe their surroundings. Following this sensory exploration, we prompt them to utilize these observations to assess the overall condition of the space. Finally, we provide an overview of the land's historical evolution over time. If the program focuses on a specific topic, such as our Yawl Ready Sailing program, which centers on sailing, we develop a curriculum that delves into the history of sailing across different cultures.

Joy

Joy serves as a catalyst for authentic connections, infusing interactions with enthusiasm and positivity. By embracing opportunities for creativity and reconnecting with our inner child, we create an environment where genuine connections thrive. Joy becomes a guiding principle, inspiring individuals to approach interactions with openness, curiosity, and a sense of wonder.

Joy is inherent to our programs, stemming from the fact that our offerings are deeply influenced by community interests. We ensure that the activities we provide are aligned with the desires and preferences expressed by the community during the planning of Pod Pop-ups and the introduction of new program offerings.

In our corporate advancement training sessions, we incorporate games and activities that may seem lighthearted or even a bit whimsical. This deliberate choice is rooted in the recognition that connecting with the next generation and fostering engaging educational experiences necessitates embracing the spirit of playfulness and tapping into the natural curiosity that resides within each of us. In our youth programs focused on studying invertebrates, participants were challenged to create stories detailing the lives of these organisms, using their observed characteristics and behaviors as inspiration. By infusing elements of fun and spontaneity into our teaching endeavors, we not only cater to the diverse learning styles of our participants but also allows us to break down barriers to learning, ignite creativity, and cultivate a sense of joy and excitement that enhances the overall learning experience.

Commitment

In our consulting endeavors, our commitment manifests in the structure of our services. If we are approached by an industry partner who may not be adequately prepared to engage with our youth, we provide constructive feedback elucidating our concerns and offer to collaborate with them to reach a point where we are confident in introducing them to our youth. Additionally, we consistently provide feedback to all guests and program partners who participate in our programs, ensuring a continuous process of recognition and refinement.

Moreover, we prioritize the well-being of our youth participants aged 15 and above by providing compensation, acknowledging that they may have familial responsibilities that could otherwise impede their ability to pursue their interests fully. This approach not only fosters a sense of joy and fulfillment among participants but also demonstrates our commitment to supporting them in overcoming any barriers they may face in engaging with our programs.

Creating a safe space where individuals can hold themselves and others accountable is fundamental to fostering growth and positive change. It involves modeling the behaviors and values we aspire to see in ourselves and others, embodying the principles of authenticity and integrity. We prioritize representation over assimilation, recognizing the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in our communities and those diverse voices and perspectives being realized in all types of spaces.

This commitment extends beyond mere participation; it encompasses building genuine relationships where individuals feel comfortable reaching out for support or guidance on sensitive or intimidating topics.

Growth

Finally, heart-based relationships prioritize growth. When we discuss growth, we're referring to the ongoing journey towards achieving both personal and communal aspirations. This entails fostering authenticity within oneself and within the community. By demonstrating commitment, we create an environment where individuals feel secure enough to express their true selves.

While growth might not always be easy to define, we employ pre- and post-program surveys to gauge the progress of participants in the areas we address. By tracking the growth of returning participants over extended periods, we can provide ongoing support to sustain their development trajectory.

In our consulting endeavors, our training sessions are centered around fostering growth and enhancing social and emotional intelligence. We not only create a space to discuss these concepts but also provide opportunities for practical application and skill development.

Internal growth is also evident through surveys conducted after consulting workshops and projects, enabling us to gather feedback and enhance our services. We foster an environment conducive to open and candid feedback by emphasizing that learning and development are continuous processes, applicable to all, including those in educational and experiential roles. This philosophy extends to coaching sessions for mentors, where we encourage reflection on their relationships with mentees.

Informing Organizational Practices

I was really happy to give examples of how the key elements of a heart-based relationship are present in our program and consulting activities. Now, I'd like to highlight how they continue to show up in every aspect of Sea Potential, molding our culture, policies, and procedures. The values of observation, joy, commitment, and growth guide decision-making across all tiers of our organization.

Program and Workshop Structure

Every aspect of our program layout is carefully planned out with strategy in mind. Right from the start, we prioritize building strong bonds among participants. Within our youth programs, we prioritize long-term engagement. We opt for program formats that extend over time, with many lasting at least six weeks. Although our current capacity restricts us to this still relatively brief duration, we find that it allows for meaningful personal growth experiences among the youth, which we can observe and support throughout the program. This fosters deeper connections and commitment, which are more challenging to cultivate in shorter-term programs.

That's why we also kick off each program with team bonding activities, ensuring everyone gets to know each other and lays the groundwork for meaningful connections.

Throughout the program, we maintain a consistent practice of starting and ending each day with a social-emotional check-in. This serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it helps us gauge the emotional state of the youth, allowing us to better anticipate and address any potential challenges. Secondly, it fosters an environment where participants feel comfortable asking questions, whether to guests, each other, or facilitators. And most importantly, it creates a safe space where individuals feel empowered to approach us with any concerns or issues that may arise, knowing they'll be met with understanding and support. This approach isn't limited to our youth programs; it's a cornerstone of our consulting work as well.

In all our settings, we prioritize smaller group sizes, typically capping participation at 20 individuals. We find this to be an optimal number for fostering genuine connections and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in open and honest conversations. By keeping our groups small, we can dedicate the time and attention needed to get to know each participant individually, without the constraints imposed by larger group sizes and time limitations.

Partnerships

As we discussed earlier regarding commitment, we strive to create a purposeful experience for individuals and organizations interested in partnering with us. We view commitment as a way to inspire action. Recognizing that most come to us with genuine intentions, we prioritize building relationships as the foundation of our collaboration. Whether they're looking to share their expertise, enhance their organizational culture, or support our youth programs, there are specific pathways we follow to cultivate long-term connections.

One of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to the community is through a deliberate initiative within our youth programs. Our aim is to provide culturally diverse and intentionally prepared meals for the youth. To bring together community engagement and commitment, we've established partnerships with local chefs to cater our youth programs. This not only reinvests money directly into the community but also fosters a sense of community among the youth through shared meals. Additionally, it often exposes them to new culinary experiences, further enriching their cultural understanding and appreciation. This approach underscores our dedication to nurturing meaningful connections and experiences within our programs.

Team

I encourage you to check out my previous blog titled "Small Steps for Supporting Employees' Mental Health" to delve deeper into the concept of heart-based relationships and how it intersects with the development of supportive systems for our team. One initiative I'd like to highlight is our annual team vacation, which has brought immense joy to our organization. During this vacation, each employee has the option to bring an additional person, and the entire trip is fully funded by the company. While participation is optional, we collectively brainstorm ideas for the destination and activities, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment among the team. This initiative underscores our dedication to being intentional with our resources and responsibilities to ensure its success.

Conclusion

By placing emphasis on observation, joy, commitment, and growth, our aim is to cultivate authentic connections that go beyond limitations and nurture mutual understanding. Whether in our interactions with individuals, communities, or ecosystems, we remain committed to cultivating relationships built on reciprocity.

We welcome you to connect with us if you seek support in fostering leadership and workplace culture rooted in heart-based relationships. Our goal is to foster collective empowerment and witness your growth firsthand. Explore our consulting services at https://www.letsseapotential.com/ to join us in training and discover the transformative impact of heart-centered relationships.