Reflection: What have we learned since 2020?

Participation through Action => Experience
Reflection on Experience => Learning

This is the essence of Chris Argyris' double-loop learning (see: https://infed.org/mobi/chris-argyris-theories-of-action-double-loop-learning-and-organizational-learning/). Argyris' learning principle is also at the core of participatory action research (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_action_research) .

So what does this mean to you in building your adaptive capacity and strengthening your resilience?

Let's reflect on recent years (since 2016) and the last three in particular. The world has been transformed by geopolitical upheavals and pandemic. At almost every level, the way we operate in our world has changed. For example, the way we interact with others has transitioned from predominantly in-person contact to virtual contact to such an extent that emerging from our pandemic cocoons required rethinking about how to conduct ourselves in shared spaces. Some of us have adapted well while others are still finding their legs. Some others have chosen to remain isolated while others demonstrate open hostility in the public square.  This reality necessitates increased preparation for all types of responses from those we encounter in public.

How does one prepare for these interactions that may elicit surprising reactions, unforeseen responses, and even potential for meaningful engagement? Some of the most powerful tools are:

• Approach interactions with curiosity, a sense of appreciative inquiry
• Consciousness of your role in shared space
• Consciousness of others in shared space
• Awareness of our own biases
• Consideration of others given the context of the shared space
• Understanding your boundaries
• Respecting others' boundaries
• Finding shared aims and values
• Appreciating different perspectives
• Looking for richness in diverse experiences
• Allowing for compassion for self and others
• Creating conditions for sharing without harsh judgment or reprisal
• Listening for shared joys as well as shared distress
• Using our voices to stand up for those who cannot
• Honoring our shared humanity
• Reflecting on the experience through journaling, meditation, or being in nature
• Using lessons learned to prepare for future interactions
• Appreciating the life cycle of shared experience with grace

Since 2016, the world has become exceedingly polarized and unbalanced. Absolutes have become seemingly easy approaches to the complexity we face. The key is to understand complexity, not reduce it to simple solutions. Complexity is neutral - neither good nor bad. Complexity is at times irascible; yet, it also lends richness to living. It is vital to life.

When you approach your daily interactions in shared spaces on the road, at work, in your community, in school, at the grocery, at the gas station, at the cafe, or anywhere in which you encounter others whom you don't know, LEAD WITH APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY about the other person and what you might learn from them. You might treat complicated engagements as participatory action research opportunities.  Remember, sometimes the greatest gifts come in ugly wrapping paper. This simple shift in your presence toward appreciative inquiry will take the pressure off you to prove something and opens you to learning something from those you meet. When you are learning, you are building your adaptive capacity at multiple levels (e.g., cognitive, relational, spiritual). When you learn to share space with others in positive ways, you have more opportunities to build community. When you have built a supportive community, you have strengthened your resilience as well as the resilience of those you share space.  That's the value of the double loop!