Creating change needs patience

Today’s email comes with a trigger warning. It contains several topics (American politics, abortion, conservative views) that readers might find distressing.

As a change maker, how good are you at reading / listening without judgement?

Leaders who want to create positive impact can learn from the most unlikely places. Sometimes, it’s good to face the mess we are in and learn from, what I’d call, the “dark” side. Occasionally, I force myself to read something that seriously challenges my thinking. Afterwards, I reflect on what are a few insights that I can use positively in a different context.

During my recent family trip to Fiji, I read an article by Emily Clark on “Why America is so divided on abortion and the men who planned it”.

The article gave me chills and was a true eye opener. During one article, I went from feeling frustrated, to angry, to curious, to hopeful and excited.

I believe it’s an important read to broaden our perspective on judging current developments around the world. Abortion is an issue that some political strategists use to create a different society in the long run. People in the background patiently playing a long strategic game wanting to reduce democracy and women’s rights.

It’s a great case study of what a few people can achieve with a long-term perspective and patience.

Some of you might think that this sounds like conspiracy theory. That’s ok. Even if the whole case would NOT have been as described in the article, there are many great springboards in the articlefor ideas on how to influence positive change. Every action can have negative or positive outcomes. It depends on intent and context.

If you want positive change faster: more awareness is needed of who are the decision makers in a system who could potentially create a tipping point.

What the protagonists in the article did based on their CONSERVATIVE views, could as well be done with a CONSERVATION perspective. Systemically it works in similar ways – with very different outcomes.

I’m curious to hear what you make of this article.
Naturally yours,

Ingrid

P.S. If this article has triggered you and you’d like a debrief conversation, call me on my mobile 0415 785 712.