Systems thinkers seek to understand the root causes of problems. More specifically, they are uncovering the underlying dynamics that drive the problems. And after decades of study and practice, a series of systems archetypes have emerged to describe most of the troublesome dynamics we find. But what does a “systems archetype” even mean?
Read MoreOberlin Diaries 6: Steering the Future
My grandfather let me drive. I was 10, and he had to operate the pedals. I sat on his lap steering us down the two-lane country road. If I started to drift out of our lane, he would gently suggest a correction: “Maybe you want to turn us a bit to the right?” If an oncoming car were in sight, he’d momentarily make the correction himself, although never suggesting I relinquish my grip.
Thanks to nationally-recognized community leaders like Hazel Johnson and Majora Carter, we have a strong understanding of the environmental justice issues that plague communities across our cities and countryside. But when trying to pinpoint those communities suffering most from environmental injustice, the definition gets complicated. How do we define an “environmental justice community”?
Read MoreRelating back to a previous post on effective leadership, seeking, recognizing, and reprogramming our unconscious biases is imperative to creating truly equitable and inclusive workplaces, communities, and countries. But what does unconscious bias even mean?
Read MoreOberlin Diaries 4: Risk and Its Rewards
You never know. For some, the phrase invokes paralyzing fear. For me, it presents a motivating challenge. When the Foresight Prep @ Oberlin College summer program was launched four years ago, part of the fun was seeing if we could do it: Create a best-of-class experiential education program that empowered highly-diverse, sustainability-minded teenage leaders. Participants arrive never completely knowing what to expect; we teachers are never certain what our students will be like. We navigate the unknown together, forging community, knowledge and connections that in many cases far outlast the two-week seminars. Such experiences are essential for a more vibrant and resilient future.