A problem shared is a problem halved. Isn't that why most of us choose to share our troubles and difficulties with our loved ones? We value their advice, their insight, and their support. In this episode of The Missing Conversation, Robert and Dave share how religious and spiritual leaders can extrapolate this idea by sharing their own challenging issues to help their community better.

We tend to place teachers of formal religion or leaders in spirituality on a pedestal. While believers and practitioners may take advice from them, rarely do we see help flow the other way around. What if, instead of shouldering their personal challenges alone, these leaders turned around and shared their troublesome issues openly? This would create a relationship of mutual respect and trust while humanizing leaders. It would also support them to relate to people in a more complete and authentic way.

In doing this, not only will people be able to see how to deal with similar challenges, but they will also learn how to apply their religion's teachings to help resolve or get through difficult times as modeled by their teachers. In addition, leaders would be able to help themselves and others by being vulnerable, open, and transparent. When leaders partake in their communities on the same level, it supports self-acceptance and helps everyone build a friendlier attitude to themselves and others. After all, the example teachers and leaders set is critical in how supported and accepted the people feel when dealing with their own most difficult emotions and situations.

For those who have difficulty figuring out what exactly they're feeling, Robert recommends the first Introspective Guide that has 75 of the most challenging emotions that will help you put a name to what you're facing. Learning how to name our feelings precisely is immensely valuable in discovering what we need.

Read the transcription and listen to this episode on The Global Bridge Foundation website.