This is the second part of a 2-part report by LeadWell Foundation program officer Matt Mayer from the November 2010 “Leading the Way: Building a Sustainable Future” workshop with Peter Senge and Margaret Wheatley.
Margaret Wheatley brought the attendees of this conference on a journey of discovery. She explored facets of her work which have inspired people since their publication, such as: how change happens, leading in times of uncertainty, seeking simplicity and perseverance.
Through a presentation incorporating both Margaret Wheatley’s wisdom and a World Café, all culminated in an approach which Wheatley deems as the “Four Ways to Change the World.”
Four Ways to Change the World
- Notice what you care about
- Get started
- Learn as you go
- Stay together
These four principles, albeit simple to the ear, are profoundly difficult to enact.
Inner reflection, an arguably undervalued aspect of Western society, helps distil where our individual values lie (relating to Character in the 4C model of societal leadership). But even if space has not been structured for inner reflection, surely one has an inkling of their values as we innately know what we can’t be silent about. How do we feel around issues such as racism, war, a stranger harming our children or social and environmental injustice? What issues stir emotion within us? And why? After realizing these deep-rooted values comes the greatest hurdle in alleviating this disconnect, Step 2: Getting started.
Getting started is a true testament to the Conviction and Courage see in the 4C model. Our mobility in life is often limited due to our location, jobs, incomes, families, etc. and are seemingly insurmountable hurdles in getting started. It’s not easy to quit a current job, to question the ethics behind what we do, reposition ourselves as champions of societal leadership, admitting that we haven’t contributed much to the world (while the clock isn’t getting any slower) or reorienting our path to one with much more uncertainty; the ladder, a natural path which Margaret Wheatley discussed during the conference and explains in this short video:
But we often have trouble letting go of this comfortable and safe life for something new. The Elders of the Hopi Nation beautifully articulate this in a Prophecy (taken from Margaret Wheatley’s, Perseverance):
Here is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those
who will be afraid, who will try
to hold on to the shore.
They are being torn apart and
will suffer greatly.
Know that the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore.
Push off into the middle of the river,
and keep our heads above water.
And I say, see who is there with you
and celebrate.
At this time in history,
we are to take nothing personally,
least of all ourselves,
for the moment we do,
our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves.
Banish the word struggle from your attitude
and vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done
in a sacred manner and in celebration.
For we are the ones we have been waiting for.
“Let go of the shore”. Act “in a sacred manner and in celebration”. As you move forward in life, are you acting in concert with your deepest values? If you are not already doing so, what is it that is holding you back? What are your barriers for getting started?
In the conference, Margaret Wheatley discussed fearlessness by alluding to young leaders who leave their schools, jobs, careers, relationships etc. that are effectively limiting their potential. These folks label themselves not as drop-outs, but rather “walkouts.” In their view, they needed to walk out of a situation in order to walk on to realizing their potential and contributing to the world. After taking this leap and getting started, these walkouts tend to make the path by walking and following their dreams (Step 3: Learn as you go). Through networks, these people are collaborating to share their stories and connect on projects in places like The Hub for example (Step 4: Staying together).
What is holding you back from acting as a societal leader? Take a moment to consider ho to merge your fundamental values in your everyday life. In doing so, what must you walk out on, in order to walk on? Acknowledge this barrier. Be conscious of how it is limiting your ability to lead for a greater society. Cultivate this skill as a way to develop your Competence as a societal leader.
On your leadership journey, please feel free to share your stories, opinions or experiences with the LeadWell Foundation such that we can “stay together” as we change the world into a better place.
Matt Mayer is a programs officer with the LeadWell Foundation based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Contact Matt.
