Validation vs. Agreement: Understanding the Difference and Why It Matters [episode 50]

Listen to Validation vs. Agreement: Understanding the Difference and Why It Matters on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | your platform of choice

If you tuned into last week’s episode, you may not be surprised by the topic of this episode. Something that impacts every single one of us is validation – I knew I wanted to dive deeper into this subject, so I’m excited to do a series all about it here on the podcast!

In today’s episode, I talk about validation vs. agreement, and why understanding the difference matters. Validation is the process of acknowledging and recognizing someone’s feelings, thoughts, or experiences as legitimate and REAL. Even if you don’t agree with or understand the other person, it’s important that they feel seen. This then fosters trust, connection, and emotional safety, which is incredibly important AND powerful.

Honestly…we all want to feel validated! When we’re validated, a variety of positive things occur. We’re more likely to open up and express our true feelings, because we know we’re not going to be judged. Relationships are strengthened, because respect and empathy are being built, and all of this creates an environment needed to grow a beautiful, and deeper connection.

I also want to discuss what validation is not, because there does seem to be some confusion regarding this. Validation is NOT always being in agreement, or approving of everything someone else does. It’s also not feeling the need to automatically ‘fix’ what someone is telling you, or dismissing their emotions all together.

When it comes to agriculture, validation actually plays a vital role in stockmanship. We’re validating our animals all the time (especially in low stress cattle handling); if we choose not to validate the animals we’re working with, we’re going to get hurt. Validation is not only in their best interest, but ours as well, and the same goes for humans validating each other.

Validation can truly be a key tool to break through emotional and miscommunication barriers; it’s an effective way of saying ‘I see you, I hear you, and what you’re feeling matters’.

Stay tuned for next week’s episode, because we will be talking about some different ways to validate and be validated in that one!

In this episode, Validation vs. Agreement: Understanding the Difference and Why It Matters, we cover:

What validation is + why it’s incredibly important and powerful
What validation is NOT
Understanding the role that validation plays in stockmanship

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Related Episode:

More about the Good Movement Draws Good Movement podcast:

In stockmanship (the art and science of handling cattle in a safe, effective, low-stress manner), we have this phrase . . . good movement draws good movement.

It’s this thing that happens when we ask a small group of cattle, maybe a cow, or a pair to move out in a certain direction and their movement draws the whole herd into moving in the same direction.

Good movement happens when we approach the cattle with a positive attitude, read and really listen to what they’re telling us, and communicate accordingly.

We don’t approach the aware, flighty cattle the same as we do the tame, docile cattle. We adjust ourselves, our energy, and approach, and communicate with each differently.

These adjustments help us effectively draw good movement from each, which then draws good movement from the herd. But it starts with us.

The same is true for humans. Good movement starts with us.

Welcome to Good Movement Draws Good Movement, the podcast where farmers, ranchers, and rural folks can grow relationally through awareness, understanding, and effective communication.

Hey, it’s me – T. I’m your host, and I, along with my guests, will be covering topics related to drawing good movement – things like self and social awareness, brain science, positive psychology, extending grace, and so much more.

We’ll share tools that can help you understand why you are the way you are, why others are the way they are, and how you can use that to step out of self-told lies with grace and compassion to draw good movement in conversations, relationships, and life in rural America.

Tune in every Tuesday and make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! Let’s go draw good movement!