Using the RAFT

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

The RAFT is the fourth technique of using Do No Harm, and it is perhaps the most difficult because it requires us to reflect on and recognize how others perceive us. We want to be liked, trusted, and respected. It can be uncomfortable to find out that we are not. It is even more painful when we realize that we are responsible for how others perceive us. Our behaviors matter to our relationships in our work. Positive behaviors enable positive relationships which are essential for lasting, positive impacts.

Interveners should ask themselves and their colleagues what is their dominant mindset. Is it a dividing mindset or a connecting mindset? Do we expect the worst and act with mistrust and in secret? Or do we open our processes to others, respecting the ideas and priorities they have, and believing that if we work transparently together, we can be fair? Do we hold ourselves accountable at all points for our demonstrated respect for others and our impacts on their societies?

The RAFT is a matter of habit. It is not only about double-checking a list of factors (though this is not a bad way to begin learning and internalizing the RAFT), it is about continually observing our own behaviors, listening to how they are perceived, and changing if necessary.

We should ask ourselves whether our habits are characteristic of a dividing mindset or a connecting mindset. All of us have both in us, but one tends to be in the ascendant. The RAFT helps us recognize the difference, and identify the specific areas where we need to work to strengthen our connecting mindset every day and the connecting mindset of those around us. Keep watch on yourself and invite your colleagues to watch as well. Do the same for them.

Generating Options

The RAFT is a powerful tool for generating program options.

When we identify that a Divider is strengthening or a Connector is weakening, we can use the RAFT to identify the patterns of behavior that are contributing to the negative impact. Options developed to correct the negative impact should first address that pattern of behavior that lies behind it.

For example, if you identify that surrounding hostilities are currently increasing tensions within your staff and the community, then find some way to emphasize collaboration and cooperation in order to reinstate an area of normalcy. “Normality” and cooperation can be reassuring and counteract external tension. Or, if you realize your decision making process has been closed, open it up and make a show of opening it up with all appropriate apologies and invitations to participate. Show that new decisions reflect others’ ideas.

This kind of immediate switch in behaviors works because the positive and negative patterns of behavior are incompatible. When you change competition into collaboration, the competition disappears. Looking for and finding value in others makes unfairness impossible to ignore. It may still take time and effort to make changes, but identifying what needs to be done is clear.

This may sound too easy, but it is the strength of Do No Harm and the use of the RAFT. The techniques of the RAFT have been tested all over the world and been found to work.

Codes of Conduct

Some organizations have discussed incorporating the RAFT into their Codes of Conduct. Obviously, this is a good idea and would, experience shows, improve the organizations’ impacts on the ground. Any Code of Conduct should adhere to the RAFT.

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.” – Gandhi

Gandhi makes clear the linkages we have been discussing in the RAFT. His is a magnificent formula for living. However, contra Gandhi, our words do not automatically become our behavior. Interveners too often express “right” words but behave in ways that belie the values of these words. The old proverb “actions speak louder than words” is a better guide for interventions. Our actions and our behaviors are “heard” more clearly than our actual words.

But the third and fourth sentences of Gandhi ‘s formula are found to be true by Do No Harm users. Our behaviors do develop into habits and those habits do show the world our values.

In Do No Harm, when we use the word Messages, we are describing how we demonstrate our true values through our actions.

Previous Page How to be Transparent
Next Page The Do No Harm Frameworks

Related Topics
Patterns of Behavior and Mindsets
Three Spheres of Behavior
Messages through the RAFT
Options & Opportunities
Using the Patterns of the ABCs

80 Comments

  1. I cling on to listening to the newscast talk about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i get some?

  2. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  3. Hi would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price? Thanks, I appreciate it!

  4. Along with the whole thing that appears to be developing throughout this specific subject material, many of your viewpoints are actually somewhat radical. Nevertheless, I appologize, because I do not subscribe to your entire idea, all be it exhilarating none the less. It looks to everybody that your remarks are generally not totally validated and in reality you are generally your self not even completely confident of your assertion. In any event I did appreciate reading it.

  5. Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your web site in web explorer, would check thisK IE nonetheless is the market leader and a large component of other people will omit your magnificent writing due to this problem.

  6. Its fantastic as your other content : D, thanks for putting up. “As experience widens, one begins to see how much upon a level all human things are.” by Joseph Farrell.

  7. I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂

  8. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

  9. I together with my friends were checking the great tactics on your web page and then quickly came up with a terrible feeling I never thanked the blog owner for those tips. My boys came absolutely thrilled to see all of them and have in fact been loving these things. I appreciate you for getting really kind and then for picking this kind of outstanding topics millions of individuals are really eager to be informed on. My personal sincere regret for not expressing gratitude to you sooner.

  10. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.

  11. I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Reading this info So i am satisfied to convey that I’ve an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most indisputably will make sure to don’t forget this site and give it a glance regularly.

  12. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

  13. Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect website.

  14. Thank you for some other fantastic post. Where else may just anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect manner of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m at the look for such information.

  15. Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you¦ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect website.

  16. Nice weblog here! Also your website a lot up very fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink for your host? I desire my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  17. Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your website is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you?¦ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a perfect site.

  18. Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  19. This is really interesting, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I have joined your feed and look ahead to seeking extra of your great post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!

  20. Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

  21. Nearly all of the things you point out is supprisingly appropriate and it makes me wonder the reason why I had not looked at this with this light previously. This piece really did turn the light on for me as far as this specific subject matter goes. Nonetheless there is actually just one factor I am not necessarily too cozy with and whilst I make an effort to reconcile that with the core idea of the issue, let me observe what all the rest of your subscribers have to point out.Very well done.

  22. hi!,I like your writing very much! proportion we communicate extra about your post on AOL? I require a specialist in this space to solve my problem. May be that is you! Looking ahead to look you.

  23. It is really a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  24. What i do not understood is actually how you’re not really much more well-liked than you might be right now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. Always maintain it up!

  25. This is the proper blog for anyone who desires to search out out about this topic. You notice a lot its virtually laborious to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, simply great!

  26. After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.

  27. Can I simply say what a reduction to search out someone who really knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know tips on how to convey a problem to light and make it important. Extra individuals have to learn this and understand this aspect of the story. I cant imagine youre no more popular since you positively have the gift.

  28. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Outstanding work!

  29. My wife and i felt so joyful that Peter managed to do his investigations from the precious recommendations he was given in your blog. It is now and again perplexing just to continually be freely giving ideas which often the rest may have been making money from. We do know we have got the writer to give thanks to for that. Most of the explanations you’ve made, the simple blog menu, the friendships your site help engender – it’s got mostly terrific, and it is letting our son and the family imagine that that idea is amusing, which is certainly seriously fundamental. Thanks for everything!

  30. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and appearance. I must say you’ve done a very good job with this. Additionally, the blog loads super fast for me on Chrome. Excellent Blog!

  31. I have read a few good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to create such a fantastic informative web site.

  32. Hello, you used to write magnificent, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

  33. Hey would you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price? Kudos, I appreciate it!

  34. Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task.

  35. I conceive this site has got some really excellent information for everyone :D. “Time–our youth–it never really goes, does it It is all held in our minds.” by Helen Hoover Santmyer.

Leave a Reply

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>