First, I invite you to watch 7- year- old Molly Wright share at TED. Conversation matters. The serve and return matters. Dialogue; it matters. Playing catch with one another… matters. Connection… matters. Molly Wright’s message … matters… to us all. Across ages, genders, ethnicities, faiths, incomes, sexualities, nationalities, blood types, colors, and more… it freakin’ matters. It matters for us to find our own place… and to see how we fit… and to see how we can move forward, together, stronger.
I have long believed in same (since childhood), especially throughout 40+ years in leadership training and development. This past year or so, I have become ever more aware of my deepest belief and interest in same. Just yesterday, I posted our broadCAST for July 2021, with some 11+ examples of conversation… of that serve and return. Personally, humbly and even assertively, I suggest taking them in. They are joyful and valuable, I contend. I am learning so very much about myself and others… and things that matter in the world.
Either way, the art of elevated, joyful and engaging conversation is needed in this world too often polarized and divided. We need it across our perceived differences. In so doing, there are ways to have better conversation. And real attention matters. In my years with Dale Carnegie Training from 1987-2001, amidst his body of work around Friendliness and influence, I was most in Awe of the simplicity of his guidance on being genuinely interested in other people. Genuinely. There’s the rub. No ulterior motives nor agendas; genuine interest.
Finding our connections matters. Breaking out of our boxes matters. And, I am reminded of these words this day. “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.” That kind of high functioning Unity begins with conversation, dialogue and connection… our capacity to serve and return. It is not born of Kumbaya nor any simplistic pretense. It requires work and that genuine interest. And, it is born of that genuine interest to converse and connect… with what I call “robust Curiosity”. Differences are our diversity, and healthy diversity can forge strength through high functioning Unity. It is Unity found in Diversity; and that is the true strength of nature and the Cosmos.
For me, TUGtv will fiercely pursue this. For me, #hUmaNITY will continue to evolve to be a space for such. And its namesake “show” will continue being a vehicle for connection. For me, my work and play will fiercely pursue this. For me, my life will be driven by exploring Character and Unity, in and through conversation, connection and community.
I am also reminded of this beautiful definition of community. “… it is a comprehensive unit of civilization composed of individuals, families and institutions that are originators and encouragers of systems, agencies and organizations working together with a common purpose for the welfare of people both within and beyond its own borders; it is a composition of diverse, interacting participants that are achieving unity in an unremitting quest for spiritual and social progress.”
Diverse, interacting participants… achieving unity … for spiritual and social progress. It includes the private, public and community sectors. It includes us all. And it starts with being “originators and encouragers of systems, agencies and organizations working together with a common purpose”. Let us converse and connect and build a better world, locally and globally… at home, school, work, business and community. Let us do the work and be that genuinely interested.
That implies a new capacity for listening. The 5th Strategy of the Virtues Project focuses on same. With both Compassion and Detachment, we can have that Curiosity to be present, and even ask better questions. I often suggest that this approach can be for moments of coolness, joy, challenge or simple exploration.
The Process alluded to involves some 7 “steps” though they need not be rigid. In fact, Flexibility would be advisable and wise and sincere even.
The Companioning Process is simply about being present to explore without agenda. I have found it of great capacity with others and with conversations with myself.
That said, it is a form of listening and healthy curiosity. That said, regardless, the capacity to listen is worthy of our attention and growth.
Real conversations matter. How can you foster environments of such conversation, connection and community at home, school, work, business and community? This ain’t no freakin’ Kumbaya. How we care and serve improves when we do become ever better at true conversation, connection and community… and we move forward together, stronger. Indeed, in this world of change, we need that.
Yeah, let’s do that.
Peace, passion and prosperity…
Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy with Epic Engage.
“Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. ― Abraham Lincoln