In every direction we look, we are reminded that we have pressing problems to solve as the pioneers of the twenty-first century. The urgency is sounding with a constant and quickening drumbeat. What we know for sure is that bombs and bluster, military might and an economic consciousness built on a greedy disregard for others will not bring the solutions we need. As we clamor to discover the next theoretical approach or to unveil the results of still another study, or reach further than we ever imagined to weave the power of technology into all aspects of our existence, there is great wisdom that we need to be sure we consciously include in the mix, creating a powerhouse collaboration of past, present, and future.
One such example is what we’ve learned about dialogue and its potential to solve problems and generate the new ideas that will fuel innovation. History is replete with leaders, who by their example, shared wisdom, and influence have taught us about the profound power of dialogue in engaging people to bring about change. Plato in his Allegory of the Cave in the Republic (Waterfield, 1993) told us it isn’t easy and that engaging people requires a special kind of leadership mastery for working in the dark in order for people to trust enough in themselves to come out into the light. So it is with other great thought-leaders, philosophers, prophets, and sages. In their own way, they seemed to consciously build the wisdom of dialogue into their new thinking and strategies for change, using unique and different ways to touch and connect with people. Here are three examples of how leaders have spread their messages—by example; with precision; through a rippling influence across time.
One such example is what we’ve learned about dialogue and its potential to solve problems and generate the new ideas that will fuel innovation. History is replete with leaders, who by their example, shared wisdom, and influence have taught us about the profound power of dialogue in engaging people to bring about change. Plato in his "Allegory of the Cave" in the Republic (Waterfield, 1993) told us it isn’t easy and that engaging people requires a special kind of leadership mastery for "working in the dark" in order for people to trust enough in themselves to come out into the light. So it is with other great thought-leaders, philosophers, prophets, and sages. In their own way, they seemed to consciously build the wisdom of dialogue into their new thinking and strategies for change, using unique and different ways to touch and connect with people. Here are three examples from history that show how leaders have spread their messages—by example; with precision; through a rippling influence across time:
Gandhi’s famous Dandi March became a dialogue with a nation. He connected with people by inviting them to experience the force of change with him, finding a symbolic common denominator between rich and poor: salt—and by making his life the ongoing day-to-day message to the people. (Dandavate, 2005; Gandhi, 1999).
John F. Kennedy’s Clarity: It took the mentoring of Dr. Oguchi Nkwocha, M.D., an Igbo visionary from Biafra in south-eastern Nigeria, for me to realize the deeper meaning in U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s now famous vision to go to the moon. (Kennedy, 2008) “...I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth." Dr. Nkwocha pointed out that there was more to President Kennedy engaging our nation in the goal. When it was realized just eight years later, it demonstrated that Kennedy through his leadership vision had“snatched from a time 50 years in the future” according to worldly standards. He also noted the power of Kennedy’s form of dialogue with the people—the clarity of one sentence; thirty-one words; two or three lines of text.
Mother Teresa’s Whisper Across Time: On a day when the frustration of bureaucracy had reached its peak, I walked into a card shop to cool my impatience only to be tugged by the words on a card on the bottom row. It was Mother Teresa whispering across time with an open invitation of another kind,“Don’t wait for the leaders. Do it alone. Person-to-person.” It changed the premise of all my work.
To prove how leadership wisdom has been passed down for yourself, consider the leaders who have influenced your life, the famous, and perhaps the great unknowns, that crossed your path. I am certain if we could share our stories, we would discover each used their unique leadership qualities to invite us into the process through some form of conversation that connected us, built trust, and common ground with others – sometimes with words; sometimes by example in a gathering of many; often moving us into action through their belief in possibilities, one conversation at a time, person to person. King Hussein bin Talal of Jordon once described the kind of miracle that takes place from his experience of bringing people together:
“We decided on a dialogue between our people...I often witnessed the wonderful discovery that occurs when people suddenly realize that they are the same, that their problems are the same, that their fears are the same, that their hopes are the same, that their aspirations are the same.”
Today there are a mounting number of impressive studies springing up that confirm that it isn’t just good for us to talk with one another in order to find common ground. Compelling practical reasons for working together more effectively across many dimensions of difference are also coming into the light. The conclusion: Organizations and individuals all over the world are discovering that putting our differences to work is the most powerful accelerator for generating new ideas, creating innovative solutions, executing organizational strategies, and engaging everyone in the process. For clarity, let me use the summary findings of my long-time collaborator, futurist Joel A. Barker, documented in his film Wealth, Innovation & Diversity (Barker, 2000), “Societies and organizations that most creatively incorporate diversity will reap the rewards of innovation, growth, wealth, and progress.”
This is what I wrote in an article entitled, Open Invitations, in the Integral Leadership Review. Read full text with a documented "field study." These thoughts were again were validated in the present day when we witnessed inauguration day on January 20 in the United States and around the world. This time, it went beyond President Barack Obama's message, together with him, we proved the power of a collective dialogue. The experience stopped the world for a moment and brought millions of us together in a thoughtfully woven tapestry of differences in the peace and harmony we so often talk about, but rarely get to see.
What I see in each example is that there is a great power in feeling INCLUDED. When we do there is nothing that transforms each of us into our highest potential faster and better.
Your thoughts? Would love to hear from you.
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
founder, Global Dialogue Center
and Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
YouTube Book Review
Collage by Bay Area Artist, Sally K. Green. See her exhibit online at the KNOWLEDGE GALLERY at the Global Dialogue Center