Fierce Conversations for Change

Much of being a community leader for change is in understanding yourself first. This leads to deep self-discovery through reflection and awareness, connecting with nature, culture, and art to evoke connection and feeling in your thoughts.

It starts with having a conversation and a relationship with yourself. Then, it allows for authentic conversations with others, your family, friends and ultimately, your community. As some suggestions, I am sharing excerpts from the book "Fierce Conversations":

"Listen to the music that you love. It will allow you to feel what is there for you to feel, even if you have locked to the door and wedged a chair under the knob. That's why we need music, seek it, sometimes avoid it."

"And read a book. Put down the newspaper, the magazine, the crumpled articles. Pick up a classic work of fiction, or a new one. Annie Proulx, Charles Baxter, Lorrie Moore, Wally Lamb, Charles Frazier, Richard Russo, Toni Morrison, Andre Dubus, Jane Smiley. Pick up Tolkien. Lose yourself with hobbits, orcs, and wizards. Lose yourself in hope of finding yourself."

"Read poetry. Read good poetry, if possible. You'll know it's good when it evokes something for you.... a memory, a vivid picture, an emotion, an insight, a trembling of tectonic plates. Read David Whyte's poems. Pick up The Gift: Poems by Hafiz, the Great Sufi Master, translated by Daniel Ladinsky. Here was a man happy to be in his own skin. You will smile, laugh. Out loud."

"And take walks. There has been much talk of being on the "path," the way itself to arrive. For me, the way is an ongoing, robust conversation with all that life has to offer."

These areas of self-reflection help in bringing your whole self into an authentic conversation. These conversations are real, sometimes fierce, and designed to help us feel deeply and truthfully. The secret is choosing to show up fully. That courage can be simple yet challenging, because once you show up, you allow yourself to be seen.

But, we need 'fierce conversations' to make change in our community. Change begins with engaging in meaningful, robust dialogue. Your ability to influence your world grows as you learn to respond with greater openness and presence. We change the world, one conversation at a time. It is not enough to be willing to speak; as community leaders, the moment has come to raise your voice in part of shaping a future, together.

Kristen

Scott, S. (2004). Fierce conversations: Achieving success at work & in life, one conversation at a time. New York: Berkley Books.