By Natalie Irons, Associate Director, Instructional Coaching Programs
As the year rolls along, injustices and uncertainty of the future continue. Apprehension is heard in various professional learning spaces. Educators say they are afraid to surface challenging topics in group settings. Leaders are asking how to respond to people in meetings when differing values and beliefs surface. Interacting with one another has become increasingly messy.
In these times, I find it valuable to draw from my library. I curate books that have meaning for me as I wrestle in my work and learning journey. This quote resonated with a group of coaches and leaders recently as a navigation point for the current reality.
“Our ability to dream of something different, to name longing, to articulate a vision and commit to it, directly correlates to the likelihood that we will experience it, that it will be realized. It’s about the way we bring about change for ourselves and for the world…There are already visions around you that have shaped most everything about our world. If they do not serve us, perhaps it is time to revisit our imaginations, perhaps it is time to dream new dreams…Underneath our current reality is a future waiting to be conjured.”
I am holding onto these words from Prentis Hemphill, author of What it Takes to Heal. They ring for me in a way that I can remember to show up for people as I might need them to show up for me. They remind me I can ‘conjure’ a future around me that is compassionate, caring and responsive. The way I know I can create this future is to use my skills.
A core skill for me is to listen first. Sometimes that takes time and that can be uncomfortable. We are often rushed to take action, especially in times of injustice. And sometimes just a moment to breathe in deeply and exhale just as deeply, literally brings oxygen to the brain and a potentially more thoughtful response. In a recent coaching conversation, a coachee said that they noticed me pause, my taking time to think. They said that allowed them time to think as well.
Another core skill is to offer a paraphrase to show that I am listening deeply. A paraphrase is a succinct statement that captures the essence of what someone has said. For example, in a recent meeting this paraphrase was offered, “It is important for the group to connect and also know that we can get stuff done.” The group responded in unison, “Yah!” The paraphrase highlighted that they had started the meeting by connecting in an inclusion activity that took nearly a third of the meeting time, and had also attended to the logistics of the meeting. Both were important and voicing that allowed everyone to check in with those values, honoring both their time together, and the necessary tasks.
These are the ways I envision a future and how I can commit to its realization. I’m grateful to Prentis Hemphill’s words toward my vision.
What vision might you be ‘conjuring’ toward a new reality in your world? What skills might you bring forth the next time you are working with someone and feel challenged or uncertain?