This essay was based on a vivid and disturbing dream. It describes a large ship of adolescents trying to sail into a fierce storm, unable to harness the power of their collective courage and creativity to save themselves. It speaks to what’s needed for any team to assemble well and survive such times.
An Act of Imagination
During the pandemic we had different experiences of the lockdowns, the virus, and other people’s choices. I encourage people to consider that we are, each of us, afraid of different things. So if something scary is happening ‘out there,’ it’s important that some people hold less fear, otherwise the collective nervous system would collapse under the strain.
Relational Intelligence
A summary of the skills required to ‘up’ our relational resilience. Skills such as listening infused with curiosity, refraining from the need to be right, expressing authentic gratitude, patience to allow problems to unfurl in their own timing, making the “intangibles” visible, and taking responsibility for our fragile egos.