Person of peace

#546 I have been thinking about facilitation and leading discussion in a way which keeps people safe, and helps them to see that there views are important even when they contradict the general mood in the group. In practice, as a teacher, I am prone to congratulate those points which are well made. I had not realised that this can be taken as my affirmation of the person and the opinion they represent…humans are so keen for affirmation that they are often quick to also give it. How do we free ourselves from this need. Is it enough to just thank people for their contributions and move on, or does this seem churlish or uncaring? How can we be people of peace with real integrity?