Leading When You Don’t Have All the Answers
Many leaders feel pressure to have answers. But in this moment, something else is true: We don’t have all the tools we need. And we don’t yet know all the questions we should be asking. This Is Adaptive Work As Ronald Heifetz teaches, some challenges are technical. We know the problem.We know the solution. But…
Not All Contact Builds Trust
If distance is part of the problem, then relationship is part of the answer. But here is something we have learned: Not all contact builds trust. Sometimes it does the opposite. We Are Not Starting From Neutral When groups come together, they bring: Even people committed to our common humanity can feel: And many of…
The Civil Contract and Cross-Group Relationships
Many leaders I talk to feel the same tension. We can see the division.We can feel the distance growing.We know something deeper than politics is breaking down. So we ask: What do we actually do about it? For a long time, we thought the answer was better ideas. Those matter. But they are not enough.…
The Work of Renewing Our Civil Contract (Part 3)
Our differences are not the problem—our distance is There is a growing message in our country right now. Some leaders—including JD Vance and Steve Bannon—are saying that our diversity is the problem. Different cultures.Different traditions.Different identities. The argument goes like this:If we were more alike, we would be more united. It’s a simple idea. But…
Blocking Resources
This post under construction. Each of these organizations offers training and learning communities – and can often connect you to other leaders – none of us can do it alone! WAISN builds collective power for immigrants and refugees across Washington through peaceful, non-violent, community led action. We believe Washingtonians should have dignity, respect and autonomy,…
The Work of Renewing Our Civil Contract (Part 2)
Why trust takes time—and why that’s not a weakness In moments like this, everything feels urgent. The headlines are loud. The stakes feel high. And many of us are asking: What can we do—right now—to fix this? That question makes sense. But there’s a challenge we don’t always name: The kind of change we need…
Resources for Building
Resources and Networks to Strengthen Civic Muscle Each of these organizations offers training and learning communities – and can often connect you to other leaders – none of us can do it alone! Better Together America is a nation-wide, nonpartisan support network of local, regional, and state “Civic Hubs.” These civic hubs are helping build…
Resources for Bridging
Each of these organizations offers training and learning communities – and can often connect you to other leaders – none of us can do it alone! The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation is a network of innovators who bring people together across divides to tackle today’s toughest challenges. NCDD serves as a gathering place,…
The Work of Renewing Our Civil Contract (Part 1)
What holds us together—and what happens when it frays Two weeks ago, I sat in a room with about 400 people in Spokane, brought together by the Innovia Foundation. They came from small towns and rural counties across eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Farmers. Nonprofit leaders. Faith leaders. Community organizers. People who care about their…