I was blessed to meet Meg Wheatley, Ph.D. when we shared the podium at an innovation conference last year. Meg is the author of one of my favorite books on leadership, the groundbreaking best seller: Leadership and The New Science. She is a passionate and gifted proponent of humanistic values and the creative strategies needed to bring those values to life. In 1992 she co-founded The Berkana Institute, a charitable global foundation that works around the world to strengthen communities and empower people to solve their most important problems.
In the first edition of her book (2002) Turning to One Another, Meg proclaims, “I believe we can change the world if we start listening to one another again.”
In her revised and newly released edition she emphasizes,
“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.”
I agree! Meg offers 12 powerful questions to inspire conversations that can move us in the direction of healthy change.
The questions are:
1. Do I feel a vocation to be fully human?
2. What is my faith in the future?
3. What do I believe about others?
4. What am I willing to notice in my world?
5. When have I experienced good listening?
6. Am I willing to reclaim time to think?
7. What is the relationship I want with the earth?
8. What is my unique contribution to the whole?
9. When have I experienced working for the common good?
10. When do I experience the sacred?
11. What is our role in creating change?
12. Can I be fearless?
Meg explains, “Because this is a time when we are bombarded with images of human badness, I have been intentionally exploring human goodness.” This notebook is devoted to exploring human goodness, creativity, joy and freedom. That’s why I recommend Meg’s work and her new book to you.
