Not me, but mwe.
Not me vs you.
Not us vs them.
Me and you.
The beauty of belonging.
Sure, it's easier to polarize, divide and embrace our specific mirror neurons to confirm our own safety, bias' and successes. But perhaps there are are options to to create genuine community and belonging with others who do not look, behave or think like us.
Is the mystery of community unsolvable - or is there a way beyond what we've always done, and how we have always behaved?
Notice. Name. Choose for yourself how to bring the beauty of belonging in the great divides of community.
If you have a vision, a plan, a goal, a mandate, a purpose or a worthy aspiration - you will need a village of allies.
If you have breath, you will need a village of allies to grow, evolve, belong and experience a meaningful life of contribution.
Who are your allies? Say their names.
1. Friends/listeners: they don’t need recruiting as they already exist. They know you, love you and if it matters to you, it matters to them. Ask for encouragement, teach them to not take “I don't wanna " for an answer. Ask them to keep calling forth nothing less than your best.
2. Prospects/clients/constituents: these are the people that you serve. How are your relationships with them? What do you need to ask them for?
3. Co players: sustainability and meaningful community They share your hunger and compelling purpose and are investing and gulping right alongside you.
4. Champions: these people think you are great. They will champion you always and forever
5. Coach / mentor: a professional who is committed to shepherd you through the process with rigor to help make your game real and make it happen, yet the ownership belongs with you. They will be among the most powerful champions for you.
6. Expert resources: what are the skills that you don’t already possess. Who can help you with that? They will handle all the things that are important functions for your game but that don't represent a good use of team,
7. Spirit: the practise of quieting your mind, opening your heart and connecting is a great source of inspiration and comfort. Quiet your mind and your spirit. Attach to Someone greater.
8. Volunteers: these are the people that can provide what you need at a price that you can afford. What is your contribution to these wonderful humans?
9. Naysayers/competitors: these allies help stiffen your resolve and inspire you to prove them wrong. When they point to flaws in your plan, you have the opportunity to correct them while sharpening your strategic thinking. They can drive the bar higher than it would be without their example.
10. Come in and get me: All allies are important but none more so than those who commit to come in and get you when you’re overwhelmed, when you retreat into old comfort zones and when you lose faith in yourself and your game. They never forget and they don't let you settle.
11. HEroes SHEroes: you may not know them personally, but think of those that have inspired you. Let their example inspire you.
Lead yourself well. Build your village. Initiate conversations. Keep noticing, naming and growing.
** some of this content is from the book, The Bigger Game by Laura Whitworth, Rick Tamlyn and Caroline Macneill Hall.
