I first heard the term “graceful engagement” from the founding director of Intersections International, Rev. Robert Chase.1 He was describing to me the peace-building approach that Intersections uses across its programs, and once I heard it, I started seeing other examples everywhere. This week, I came across a resource from the Institute for Welcoming Resources, […]
Throwing our voices in public communications
The ventriloquist is an entertainer whose performance involves throwing their voice so that it appears to come from another source, like a puppet. Think Jeff Dunham. The stage actor is an entertainer whose performance includes conducting conversations with peers on stage but projecting those conversations out into the theater audience. Think Shakespeare. And then there’s […]
Leading where you stand
In June, I wrote about organizational charts as a very limited representation of the way power, influence, and contribution flow in and around institutions. Our significance as people and value as community members don’t hinge on our job titles or institutional roles, I said. So Miki Kashtan’s comments on leadership beyond influence and the power to […]
Life Skills: Non-defensive listening
Once upon a time, one of my mentors said to me, “When you hear something new, use the Three Heap method. “Heap 1 is for things you accept. “Heap 2 is for things you reject. “And Heap 3 is for things you don’t have enough info on, things you’re going to just hold for now.” […]
