When human beings gather...a depth of awareness
and insight, a type of transcendent knowing, becomes available to us that can
inform wise action and extraordinary results. --Alan
Briskin
Leadership for Collective Wisdom
--by Alan
Briskin, co-author The Power of Collective Wisdom, Apr 29, 2015
Leadership
for Collective Wisdom - A network
of people seeking to embody and radiate outward principles of collaboration, non
violence, and wisdom necessary to address existential issues of life and be
equipped with the tools, skills, and practices necessary to respond effectively
in the world.
FIVE
CONDITIONS FOR THE EMERGENCE OF COLLECTIVE WISDOM
1.
Deep Listening
Listening
with an intention that the other person feels heard and seen; creating the
conditions and presence for the other to more fully come into their own highest
being.
Listening
to what is said and unsaid.
Listening
with one's full self, with heart, mind, body, and soul.
2.
Suspend Certainty
Capacity
to suspend what we think is right, correct, or proper for a period of time,
allowing other ways of knowing and other people to contribute to an expanded
understanding.
Suspending
habits of understanding which are solely rational and logical - allowing novel
ways of knowing to be experienced, e.g. from cerebral ways of understanding to
emotional and intuitive ways of knowing, from rational logical mind to mythic
spiritual mind.
3.
See Whole Systems
Seek
diverse perspective.
Remain
alert to the intrinsic interdependence of one's own group, other groups, larger
collectives, and our shared Earth.
Ask
essential questions.
Design
whole systems to take into account the interdependence of the parts.
Attend
to all facets of organizational health – leadership, relationships, teams,
individual role performance, organizational purpose, outcomes, and consistent
strategy.
Sensemaking
- the on-going inquiry into how individuals and groups create coherence.
4.
Gather for Group Emergence
Cultivate
parallel ways of knowing - intuition, intellect, somatic awareness, respect for
ancestral knowledge, regard for nature and physical space.
Be
alert to what is emerging in the energetic field of the group - both thoughts
and emotions.
Allow
disturbances to established ideas or norms to lead to greater discernment and
group resiliency.
Create
safe spaces for dialogue.
Maintain
respect for others, for relationships, for human decency.
Practice
restraint in speaking with clear articulation of your own ideas, feelings, and
passions.
Attend
to the emotions arising within yourself and others.
5.
Trust in the Extraordinary
Trust
in what can emerge above and beyond your current understanding.
Welcome
all that is arising.
Resist
being constrained by the limitations of normative values or other's
expectations.
Recognize
the power of synchronicity and meaningful coincidence to shape choices and
inspire awe and action.
This
article is published here with permission. Alan Briskin is a
leadership and organizational consultant. He is author of The Stirring of Soul
in the Workplace and co-author of Daily Miracles, Bringing Your Soul to Work,
and The Power of Collective Wisdom.
Be The Change: Today, make a resolution to
listen deeply and trust in the extraordinary.
