[Ailist] Positive Core of America: responsibility

[Leif Josefsson]

[long thinking pause.......]  Thank you for reframing again.  And the
observation about who was participating puts a finger on my own
assumptions.  And posting gave me interesting perspectives.

What we see in media and papers of today is storytelling.  You read what
financial experts say:  "If this happens.... "  "then it might....."  "and
we possibly risk......."

No real explanations.  No curiousity.  Just the publication of dominant
stories where everybody assumes that everything is going DOWN just as
previously everybody was going UP.

The mangrove tidal swamp at www.meetingpointtanga.net has taught me that
sometimes it is low tide, and sometimes it is high tide.  Low tide means
opportunities to examine the landscape in a different way.

Still troubles me to examine the positive core of America. I's such a big
project as it would need to examine so many other positive cores of other
countries.

I am curious to examine *the positive core of what is happening right now*.
(what could we call "what is happening right now" instead of "the financial
crisis"?)

And, at the same time, it was Robyn's post that started this interesting
conversation.  So the initial question must have been a good one........

Have a wonderful day!

/Leif


On Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 5:03 AM, Robyn Stratton-Berkessel <
robyn at litglobal.com> wrote:

> Dear Roger, John, Stan, Mary Alice, Madelyn, Leif and AI community
>
> I too have followed with interest how this thread is evolving.   Mary Alice
> and Madelyn, thank you for your stories and experience.  Leif, thank you for
> yours.  These are such a powerful examples  that life and language are open
> to endless interpretations and how together we create new knowledge and
> meaning.  Thanks for expanding and reframing.
>
> The three questions I posed in my original post demonstrate my
> “appreciative curiosity” and desire for “compassionate engagement” (Leif /
> Madelyn’s words) because I opened my own heart to listen to what America’s
> positive core is.  I was appreciatively curious about the areas of greatest
> possibility that exist for America to “rectify” its standing in the world;
> and what dreams Americans have of their role in the world and how they want
> to be perceived.   I was being inclusive - “WE” - as apposed to “ME” (thank
> you Mary Alice), because as an Australian, living in America, I feel a
> responsibility (thank you, Roger, and for your continuity) to fit in and
> contribute to the community, while I am living here.
>
> I see this time in America as filled with the greatest possibility, thanks
> to its voting for Barack Obama.  He is a man of such holistc vision, yet the
> divisiveness in the country seems to be re-surfacing.  I am growing
> disillusioned with the language and focus of conversations, initiated by the
> mainstream media.   I rarely listen to, or watch the news, as the
> negativity, the “me-ness”, the fear, and the focus on the “struggles”, the
> “tough times”, the sense of “powerlessness” and “panic”, “despair” – all
> focused around the financial industry - drives me nuts.  It is ugly,
> representing greed, power, winning at any cost.  As a counter to the
> negativity, it seemed important to hear what else America has given the
> world, from Americans themselves - to keep connected to the best the nation
> has to offer.
>
> Rather than dwell on my own current irritations, I wanted to hear from “you
> all”  so I could share your excitements and hopes and dreams for this
> country and how it can contribute positively to the world.   I want so much
> to maintain the hope and optimism and vision of Obama.  I saw a video of
> Michelle Obama tonight.  She said,”  “We have an obligation to fight for a
> world as it should be and that is what connects our hearts”.
>
> What puzzles me still is that, until Roger shifted the focus to include
> “responsibility”, there was only one American contribution on topic.  Even
> so, there are still more non-American responses to these original questions.
>
> Perhaps my original inquiry, as framed, did not connect to many Americans
> and therefore there was no desire to engage (Mary-Alice, thank you for your
> Japanese story).  In providing my own response to the questions, I was very
> conscious of choosing language that was valuing,  respectful and honoring,
> referring to "sustainable cultures".
>
> So, Leif, I envisioned “the Positive Core of America” as a stepping off
> point to shift the focus from America’s own self-centric view of the world
> to begin to embrace the entire world in a loving way.  Your reframe is very
> lovely.   When we get to that place of compassion – a quiet positive emotion
> – we open our hearts and minds to others, irrespective of national identity.
>
> I’ll conclude by restating that I think  the greatest opportunity for
> America is a mindset shift from fear to love and a shift from "I" to "we".
>
> And the invitation still stands, "Imagine the World"!  Who's in?
>
> With deep gratitude
>
> Robyn
>
> Robyn Stratton-Berkessel
> Creator, Positive Matrix www.positivematrix.com
> Founder, L.I.T. Global www.litglobal.com
> +1 732 291 0462
> +1 917 816 5597 (mobile)
> Skype: robynsb
>
>
>
> On Mar 11, 2009, at 3:20 AM, Leif Josefsson wrote:
>
>
> I have followed this thread with interest and, to be honest, in the
> beginning also with irritation.  After a while, however, I finally find a
> discussion on AI List that (in one way) takes a broader perspective and
> actually connects to what is happening in the world/society of today. But I
> wondered, why should I think of the positive core of just America?
> For a while I was thinking about the possibility of launching a discussion
> about "The positive core of Sweden"......  but I could not find this a
> meaningful idea So I started to think about launching the thread "The
> positive core of Europe" - at least that would create a broader
> perspective.
> And I think about my experience from participation in the "European Network
> around Appreciative Inquiry and strength based change" (also called
> "Begeistring Organisations" | www.networkplace.eu | ) where we have talked
> a
> lot about identity.  ("What is it about being European?  Is there a
> European
> identity?  Yes, we think so - We are Europeans - and we are different...")
>
> But then we often refer to ourselves as belonging to the "West" which
> includes also Australia, New Zealand and, probably, Japan.    Last year I
> found Kishore Mahbubani from Singapore who in his book "The rise of the
> Eastern Hemispher" challenges the dominance of the west.  This speech
> caught
> my interest last year.  Somewhat prophetic:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GEcXVbsEX8
>
>
> Looking for "The positive core of America" in an international discussion
> group creates dilemmas:
>
>  - It puts all of us in a position where we have to relate to US as
>  a center of the world. Less than 5% of the world's population are
> Americans
>  (even if the US accounts for 50% of global military spending) And to put
> the
>  country I live in a perspective, Sweden is 3% of America's population.  3%
>  of 5%......
>  - It assumes that a nation must have a "positive core"  - risking
>  inquirying into conformity rather than diversity
>  - Looking for the "positive" it might overshadow important, and possibly
>  painful, changes needed.  Tax rises, role changes, behavior change, self
>  identity change, economic discipline etc
>  - Risk of having Appreciative Inquiry perceived just as another American
>  Consulting Fad.
>
> Something that has troubled me following the AI-list during quite some time
> is the narrowing in on words connected with the words "positive" and
> "happiness".   There are lots of situation in life where these words rather
> would be limiting.
>
> When I think of "Appreciative Inquiry" words like curiosity, interest,
> compassion and engagement feel much more lifegiving to me.
>
> If you have come this far, please do not see this as "America bashing" (and
> Robin I do not criticize you for starting the discussion).  Apparently the
> subject has aroused a lot of energy.  And one cannot blame Americans for
> the
> rest of us being quiet.  So I would like to challenge both Europeans AND
> "non Westerns" to engage in this discussion which could be reframed to
> something like
>
>  - "How could we look with Compassionate Engagement and Appreciative
>  Curiousity to what is happening in the world today?
>  - How could we look with a positive lens even if there is an inevitable
>  world shift leading to decreased (relative) influence of America (and
>  Europe) on the world
>  - How can we use the mindsets, values and tools of Appreciative Inquiry
>  to open up our perspective and to start exploring the world using the
> eyes,
>  ears and minds of others.
>
>
> And finally, my reflection on "the positive core":
> There is no common core.  What I find most fascinating about the US is that
> whatever you are looking for, you will find it.  It is the projection of
> everyones wishes, fears, dreams. It has been a scapegoat or salvation in
> minds of people around the world.  There is not one America. To me America
> is a chaotic multiverse mixup where everybody happens to speak English. I
> like it.
>
> Thanks for listening This was my personal views. I am happy to belong to
> the
> AI-List.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> If you are European or might come to Europe sometime, welcome to register
> on
> www.networkplace.eu to the European Network around Appreciative Inquiry and
> Strength Based Change.
> http://www.networkplace.eu/web/page.aspx?pageid=14071
>
> The next European network meeting is in Barcelona April 23-24 - more
> information here:
> http://www.networkplace.eu/web/page.aspx?pageid=14110&eventid=4559&page=1
>
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 11:24 PM, Madelyn Blair <pelerei at mac.com> wrote:
>
>  As I read through what Mary Alice wrote, I had to share with you a story
>> that I gave at a January AI event in Washington, DC.
>>
>> Living Appreciatively
>>
>> At the very first meeting of this group that Deb started, she asked if I
>> would do something on story. I decided to do something from my work with
>> Stories inside Words. I told of the project that I am working on to gather
>> stories from peacemakers and the opening set of stories from three
>> ambassadors who told stories inspired by words to the preamble to the
>> Charter of the UN. We played a bit with how words become more alive when
>> stories are told that came from their inspiration. Then I asked the group
>> to
>> tell stories inspired by either the word enquiry or appreciation.
>>
>> As I listened to the stories, I wondered where this one was going. Could
>> people be so used to the words appreciative inquiry that they would not be
>> able to find something new in themselves? Would all of their stories be of
>> how they used AI? Would the words remain the same to me even after hearing
>> all the stories? I just didn’t know what would happen.
>>
>> Every other time I have used the Stories inside Words exercise, the
>> participants were excited about the words. They are usually words from
>> mission statements or vision statements. I usually begin with asking them
>> to
>> tell stories inspired by words from mission statements of famous
>> corporations like Niki or Mary Kay or Lego. They have fun with the words,
>> and they see the words come alive in new ways. So, by the time they began
>> to
>> tell stories from their own mission statement, they are having fun, and
>> they
>> are practiced in finding the stories. But with the AI group, we wouldn’t
>> have time to do this extra step. I had to rely on my belief that stories
>> inside words would enliven in any event.
>>
>> I began to listen to the stories about appreciation or enquiry. The
>> stories
>> were mixed together. As they told their stories, I began to jot down
>> points
>> in their stories. One by one, the stories began to reveal things about the
>> speakers. Perhaps the story was about a family member who had a habit of
>> asking questions about everything. Perhaps the story was about something
>> earlier in their career when someone gave them a real break that set them
>> on
>> the right track. Just as we find in AI work, the response to questions or
>> the telling of the story ‘of the time when’ are revealing about a lot of
>> things. But was there some kernel of something new here? I recognized my
>> own
>> dreariness with the words appreciative inquiry. I had been using that
>> phrase
>> for almost 10 years. I had written about them. I had worked through them.
>> I
>> had taught about them. Would there be something new for me?
>>
>> I didn’t see it at first. Perhaps because time was running out (I did this
>> in an amazingly short period of time.) and so my thinking cap never got
>> put
>> on right and no new thoughts were coming to me. But the group was happier
>> and happier about what they were seeing in the stories. They certainly got
>> the point. They could see that stories enlivened words. But what about me?
>>
>> The next day, I began to write up the notes from the session. I typed each
>> phrase, word, and note that I had made. Then as I got toward the end of
>> the
>> list, I felt that tingle of excitement start deep inside. Yes, there was
>> something new there. Word after word just kept adding to the excitement
>> that
>> was growing in me. And suddenly, there it was. The stories about
>> appreciation were about compassion – every story had some aspect in it.
>> The
>> stories about enquiry were about the interaction between two people who
>> were
>> engaged with each other in some form of conversation. That was it –
>> compassionate engagement.
>>
>> Compassionate engagement. I had it. This was new to me. Suddenly, AI
>> became
>> something entirely revitalized. We engage compassionately with others in
>> compassionate engagement. I have never felt the same about AI since then.
>>
>> Now, the new words allowed me to broaden my view of, my use of this
>> philosophy. I could design retreats, surveys, or interview protocols;
>> conduct conversations, briefings, or discussions; teach, coach, or advise
>> with my full attention on the others in the room (engagement) and with
>> good
>> intentions toward the other (a compassionate heart).
>>
>> These two new words were now fresh and alive to me. They also became
>> measures of my intended actions and actual actions. Easy and simple. Be
>> there for the other person with a desire to be helpful and affirming.
>>
>> I recently conducted some interviews for a book I am writing. The
>> interviews were about how the persons perceived me. Here is one of the
>> statements I recorded: “You always bring a strong desire to understand
>> fully, to assure that the framework is clear, yet you give comfort to
>> others
>> while you do it.”
>>
>> Compassionate engagement has become my guide post.
>>
>> M. Blair, January 2009
>>
>>
>> Madelyn Blair, Ph.D.
>> Pelerei, Inc.
>> Turning Vision into Reality
>> www.pelerei.com
>> 301-371-7100
>> 301-371-7957 (fax)
>> 301-471-8721 (mobile)
>> Skype ID: madelynblair
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mar 9, 2009, at 5:55 PM, Mary-Alice Arthur wrote:
>>
>> Hello all!
>>
>>>
>>> I've been following this thread with interest.  I'd like to add to the
>>> conversation about 'responsibility' the two words 'connectedness' and
>>> 'engagement', because I think they help to grow the capacity for
>>> response-ability.
>>>
>>> In November last year I was in Japan, one of a facilitator team at an
>>> international development conference.  We were working on the 10 UN
>>> themes
>>> and my facilitation partner and I were leading the group on
>>> 'Disconnection
>>> and Barriers to Engagement'.  Now all of the themes are stated in this
>>> negative way, which makes them very difficult to get excited about and
>>> even
>>> harder to feel like there is hope or an answer.  It didn't surprise me at
>>> all that the sign announcing our space fell off on the first day and
>>> would
>>> not allow itself to become reattached to the wall!
>>>
>>> Through the five days the group worked on this topic, we had very
>>> interesting conversations, and one stayed with me.  The group had been
>>> asked
>>> to take part in an Appreciative interview in twos and we had one group of
>>> three.  The two young women in the trio agreed they got connected with
>>> other
>>> people first, then they got engaged.  The young man said he got engaged
>>> first, then he got connected.  They drew a little circular diagram that
>>> connected the words 'connection' and 'engagement'.
>>>
>>> They then went further and defined 'connection' as something that happens
>>> to
>>> you -- a feeling.  You can become connected to something or someone
>>> without
>>> even being able to understand it.  'Engagement' however, they defined as
>>> an
>>> action; acting on the connection you feel.  I had never heard it defined
>>> so
>>> simply.
>>>
>>> The group went on the put ME/WE as the central part of our work (and if
>>> you
>>> can imagine ME on top of WE you will see that they are actually
>>> reflections
>>> of each other in word form).  We came to the conclusion that if ME and WE
>>> are beautiful reflections of each other and individual and community
>>> well-being are beautiful reflections of each other, then the world is a
>>> beautiful place.
>>>
>>> This seems very simple, but, in fact is a very radical idea, if you place
>>> it
>>> in Japan, where WE dominates and overpowers ME or the in the US, were ME
>>> overwhelms and overshadows WE.
>>>
>>> Years ago there was a cover story on FAST COMPANY about Yahoo called
>>> 'Love
>>> is the killer app'.  I believe it is so. If we loved enough there would
>>> be
>>> no power plays at work.  If we loved enough there would be no war.  If we
>>> loved enough there would be no hunger or global desolation through our
>>> actions.  Imagine a business where leaders loved what they were doing,
>>> where
>>> people loved each other into their best expression, where people loved
>>> working and clients loved doing business.  This would be the type of
>>> world
>>> where we would naturally take responsibility because it would be an
>>> outpouring of our love.
>>>
>>> Loving enough IS a radical act.  I am continually asking myself whether I
>>> am
>>> up to it.
>>>
>>> Blessings,
>>>
>>> Mary Alice
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Mary-Alice Arthur
>>> SOAR
>>> PO Box 10-868
>>> Wellington
>>> New Zealand
>>> mobile:  +64-21-687-627
>>> email:  mary-alice at getsoaring.com
>>> web:  http://www.getsoaring.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles
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>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles
>> School of Business at the University of Utah. Jack Brittain is the list
>> administrator. For subscription information, go to:
>> http://mailman.business.utah.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/ailist
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Leif Josefsson
> Förenklare / Facilitator
> LeanderLeander AB
> Communicate & Change
> Ölandsgatan 48 - 116 63 Stockholm - tel +46 (0)70-773 00 54
>
> www.leanderleander.com
> _______________________________________________
> The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles
> School of Business at the University of Utah. Jack Brittain is the list
> administrator. For subscription information, go to:
> http://mailman.business.utah.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/ailist
>
>
>
>


-- 
Leif Josefsson
Förenklare / Facilitator
LeanderLeander AB
Communicate & Change
Ölandsgatan 48 - 116 63 Stockholm - tel +46 (0)70-773 00 54

www.leanderleander.com