On ground means a person is coming across to me as telling their own truth. When someone is on ground, I get it. There is little point in arguing with them. I can respond to them and state my truth. I can state a different opinion. I can state a different way to look at it. But forget arguing with their truth. It comes across so clearly that I feel the strength of their convictions. Off ground means that something is amiss. They seem to be saying something that is off base for them. Let’s look at a parent, a politician, and a leader.
Consider a parent: What difference does all this make? As a step-mother, my 16-year-old step-son will more easily drop his strategically, logical argument when I am grounded. Since I was clear out loud, that conversation went relatively quickly. I stated my truth. I showed empathy for what he wanted. I acknowledged his concern. I expressed understanding that he thought he was making a reasonable request. I let him know that he may see it from a different perspective than I did and thus he may not understand my answer. Shortly after that the conversation ended. Right or wrong, I was grounded in my answer.
Look at a politician: How many times do we look at politicians and think they are lacking credibility? It really happens when they are off ground. We often interpret off ground as slimy. There is something slightly off from what that person’s truth is. Sometimes it can be seen in a person’s movements. Those movements can be distracting. The movements may even evoke questions in the mind of the listener. The off groundedness reverberates through the message. Perhaps they are saying what they think we want to hear to get elected. Perhaps they are parroting someone else’s words. Whatever it is, it comes across as something other than the truth. Then where do our minds go? Does the politician want to manipulate us? What will happen when that person is in office? Can that person be trusted? Off ground can be as powerfully negative as on ground can be positive.
Reflect on a leader: Strong leaders have strong ground. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a strong leader. People may have challenged his beliefs, but not that he believed them. He stated poignantly what he believed. People followed. I believe people followed him because he was on ground. They could count on what he believed. He was consistent. He spoke his truth. Therefore, they could count on what he would say. They were willing to follow him, because they felt they could trust him.
And you? Are you on ground? Do you know your truth? Do you know how to find your truth? If you know and speak your truth, you will greatly increase the odds of people following you. You will be on ground. If you are, you have one important and critical aspect of a true leader.
Caron MacLane is a step parent who believes in speaking her truth. She fosters being on ground and other leadership characteristics through life coaching, training, and ski teaching. Contact Caron through her web site at http://www.CoachCaron.com