Crossing Paths with Margaret Wheatley

Photo Credit: Craig Neal

Photo Credit: Craig Neal


Purpose Fellow, Margaret Wheatley

by Craig Neal

On Tuesday, I attended an amazing gathering with Margaret Wheatley and Barbara McAfee. Meg is a catalyst of new thought and profound action; Barbara is a cross-pollinator and joy-bringer. 

Patricia and I created a traveling conversation with Meg back in 2002 and 2003 to support her newest book and its powerful premise that we are all change-makers. Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future. On Tuesday, Meg spoke to her latest book: Who Do We Choose To Be? Facing Reality | Claiming Leadership | Restoring Sanity

Meg: “When Turning to One Anotherwas first published in 2002, I made a rash statement:

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‘I believe we can change the world if we start listening to one another again.’ I still believe this. I still believe that if we turn to one another, if we begin talking with each other – especially with those we call stranger or enemy – then this world can reverse its darkening direction and change for the good. And I know with all my heart that the only way the world will change is if many more of us step forward, let go of our judgments, become curious about each other, and take the risk to begin a conversation.”

A poem by Meg that has been shared many times in our Art of Convening Training programs:

There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about.

Ask: “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?” Keep asking.

Notice what you care about.

Assume that many others share your dreams.

Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.

Talk to people you know.

Talk to people you don’t know.

Talk to people you never talk to.

Be intrigued by the differences you hear.

Expect to be surprised.

Treasure curiosity more than certainty.

Invite in everybody who cares to work on what’s possible.

Acknowledge that everyone is an expert about something.

Know that creative solutions come from new connections.

Remember, you don’t fear people whose story you know.

Real listening always brings people closer together.

Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world.

Rely on human goodness. Stay together.

Thank you, Meg and Barbara, for a great gathering and even better conversation. Conversation and engagement with one another creates a community of purpose and provides a way to grow with one another. Take advantage of this weekend and engage with those around you! 


Operationalizing and internalizing for possibility

Photo Credit: Craig Neal

Photo Credit: Craig Neal


"The art of convening operationalizes the dialogue principles and practices." Daniel Pesut, Director, Densford Center for International Nursing Leadership, University of Minnesota School of Nursing

Craig and Patricia are engaged in co-creating an annual Retreat with a leadership group at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. As we organize and plan around the 9 Aspects of the Convening Wheel, the value of the AoC book as a "roadmap" for authentic engagement emerges as we not only operationalizes, but internalize the practices and principles that inform convening.

"Convening was, and is, one of the most powerful, life-altering forces in the universe. The genesis of this book can be traced back to the art of convening to energize communities and stir us to survive and envision what might be possible." -Richard Leider, Foreword, The Art of Convening


Conversation Week 2008 is Next Week -- March 24-30!

photo credit: craig neal

photo credit: craig neal


Join the global conversation about the questions that matter! we love the questions that matter, don't we?  start one in your neighborhood. read on...
Craig

Conversation Week 2008  is Next Week -- March 24-30!

Conversation Week is a global effort to build a culture of conversation and get people talking about Big Questions that matter, both offline and online, sponsored by the Conversation Café  initiative and Global MindShift  . During the week of March 24-30, at over 100 locations on 6 continents, people will gather in small groups to discuss the Top 10 Questions of Our Time  , a list of deep questions about the challenges facing humanity and the planet that was developed over the past month with the help of 1,500 people in 39 countries. In addition to face-to-face conversations, Global MindShift is hosting a set of online discussion groups covering the Top 10 Questions.

This year's questions are:

  1. How can we best prepare our children for the future?
  2. What does sustainability look like to you? How do we get there?
  3. How do humans need to adapt to survive the changes predicted for this century?
  4. How do we shift from “Me” to “We” on both local and global levels?
  5. How can you, as Gandhi said, "be the change you want to see in the world?"
  6. What kind of economic structures can best support a shift to sustainable living?
  7. How should we re-invent the political process so people feel they have a voice?
  8. What kind of leadership does the world need now?
  9. How can we balance personal needs with the most pressing needs of our community and the larger world?
  10. What can we do to reduce or eliminate violence in the world?

Anyone is welcome to host a Conversation Week dialogue -- with friends, neighbors, or strangers -- in public or in private. All it takes is picking one of the Top 10 Questions, gathering a group (ideally 6-8 people), having a thoughtful open dialogue, and reporting back about the experience at http://convsationweek.org. We encourage you to use the Conversation Café process, but any process that fosters open, honest, respectful dialogue will do. There are tons of resources for hosts  <http://www.conversationweek.org/host-resources/> on the Conversation Week website.

Please come join the conversation!

Leif Utne
VP Sales & Marketing
Quantum Shift Media Inc.
http://www.quantumshift.tv
+1 612.327.0123 (mobile)
+1 612.326.5256 (SkypeIn)
skype: leifutn