Ideas on vulnerability and putting our true selves out there through our stories and writing.
‘When we congratulate openness in others’ writing, we create a community in which we can all share our truest stories with one another.’
Brené Brown’s TED talk is great #connection #purpose #inclusion #shame
‘Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced’ – Soren Kierkegaard
We live in challenging times for our services. One solution some people believe lies in the direction of more and more change and innovation. This call fills the air in some circles. This blog will celebrate innovation and change and will also question certain aspects of the change culture. Our aim is not to miss the good but also note where we may be going wrong and where else we need to focus.
Change and innovation are sometimes presented as panaceas. Services and people are called upon to be innovators and agents of change. Then it seems better and more caring and effective services will emerge. It is true that innovation, creative cultures and change can be great and should be supported. Both of the authors are very fortunate to be involved in such services and cultures. It is also true that change is not always good. Any of us working in services know this. It is not just that change is done poorly in certain places. It is often the fact and rate of change itself that people find so difficult to face and walk through. Sometimes even changes which we think will be valuable turn out otherwise. We must have a realistic perspective on change and innovation. They are gifts to be used and applied. How and when we use them demand much wisdom and discernment.
Innovation and change do not always equal the best. They need a cultural and ethical power to be really effective and authentic. Change and innovation must be based on kind practices and ways. Innovation without kindness and care can be destructive. Dictators have been innovators and technocrats but run barbaric regimes. This doesn’t negate innovation and technology. It rather posits the need for kindness, compassion and concern as foundational. Values matter and without them changes may turn to ashes in our hands.
We need stability as well as change. Stability and the promotion and protection of that stability is a psychological and ethical necessity for people and services to operate in. We need people who nourish stability in our work environments as this is so important on so many levels. Change agents in a time of a need for stability and maintenance could be a block to real progress. Stability and stillness is good for us and we should promote it where possible. Change also requires a level of energy that means we need to look after our own and other’s wellbeing. Stillness and stability can give that space and focus.
Good change can best move forward from a stable and caring base. There needs to be a flow between change and stability / stillness. This is a dance of learning and movement. The real wisdom is to know the time for each. No one size fits all but listening is the key. Listening is the arena where we can discover where we are and what if anything needs to change. Rollo May the famous psychologist spoke of how ‘If you do not express your own original ideas, if you do not listen to your own being, you will have betrayed yourself.’ Our listening may lead to changing nothing or changing many things. Yet it is this living encounter with ourselves and others that we may see what is wise to do. This means we live in real encounter with our services and the people in them. Change movements have to be embedded deep in communities and services. We will not be able to listen unless we are there with people in their hopes, struggles and work. The building of a thousand bridges between change movements and on the ground services is a sine qua non of future improvement. These bridges link us all together to make this happen. These bridges and alliances offer true dialogue, learning and wisdom. We believe that if we want the changes so needed we have to focus on kind ways, create listening centres, not jump to innovation and change as default positions, look to the vibrancy and importance of stability and live on the ground where the work is happening. We write this as two people deeply committed to change and improvement and also wishing to raise the questions that need to be asked. We believe in the answers to these questions lie the future of any authentic innovation and change.
John Walsh
Gemma Sciré
I started this year with all the enthusiasm that usually accompanies the heralding of a new opportunity. A new role and a new (married) life were beckoning. And for the first time, I properly took stock of who I wanted to be and HOW I wanted to be in the workplace. I guess you could say I did a ‘strengths based assessment’ of myself!
I recognised that some very painful working experiences were not simply a particular people and their styles, they were also a reaction to my approach. And I wanted to be more adaptable to cope with, and make the best of that. I had also been inspired and nurtured by people who oozed leadership, authenticity and energy.
And so I found a saying that I latched onto and wanted to use as a guiding principle for the year ahead. Something that I’d seen be a force for positive and also be terribly destructive. And I wanted to use it wisely, compassionately and well:
‘No grit, no pearl’.
The question I posed myself was – ‘How can I be an irritant, agitator, initiator but also engaging, positive and produce results?’
My challenge was to use my energy to change the things I could, where I saw need. Gently, tenaciously, resiliently. I guess at this stage in my life and career I found I had conviction AND confidence.
Conviction that my values are the right values, that they produce good and better states and that they work in tandem with the values and energy of others.
Confidence that comes from sharpening and honing my values and approach in combination with others. I’ve been tested….believe me! Instances where I’ve doubted and questioned my judgement. And where I’ve needed to change and refine my view. As my mum says ‘iron sharpens iron’.
And so I’ve let that phrase, my guiding principle, sink into my psyche. Reflecting with a colleague the other day, I realised that without setting goals or action plans, I’ve been doing what I set out to. I check myself regularly, work hard to sense people’s responses and irritation and reflect on my actions. I’m a work in progress!
I’m lucky to have some very kind people in my working life. People who are genuinely interested in how I am and how I’m doing. People who’s opinions, thoughts and ways of being influence me in ways they may not realise. I can’t do this on my own and actually, my real joy comes from working with people to do this and seeing them flourish. I benefit, no doubt. I get a sense of satisfaction that I’m doing the best I can and more importantly, making a positive impact. I just hope that now, it’s more effective.
Time will tell…..we may have a beautiful pearl at the end of this😍
Faith in:
Have a fantastic day people.
Gemma 🚲💜 x
Welcome to my venture into the realms of blogging😀. My baby steps! Be gentle with me please😉. Thought it was kinda symbolic to have a snap of my bike packed up mid-ride in a place of beauty in the city I love #Leeds😍. I’m off on a blogging adventure here too!
I like sharing (my mum also instilled in me as most mum’s do), that sharing was important. So….that’s what I intend to do. It may be serious at times, it may be fun, it may be boring if it’s not your thing, but I’m happy to share whatever.
Welcome folks. It’s nice to see you. Gemma 🚲 xx
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