A collaborative leader makes it safe to fail and learn, and innovate. And that’s also what most facilitator and dispute resolution professionals try do too. As a mediator, I know there is no way people are going to open up, share information, and genuinely explore and resolve the issues unless they feel safe, free from […]
Caring to live with others: A new cohousing community is forming in Victoria
Building community is hard work. So imagine you are living in a housing complex with 32 neighbours, people whom you care about, socially network, share resources, collaborate on decisions and tasks, practice sustainability, and just plain be in good relationship with. That’s what lies ahead for you if you become a member of the Fernwood […]
Religion, Spirituality and Social Media: An evening at Social Media Club Victoria
What are the hardest (or most important?) subjects to talk about? Many would say religion, politics and sex. Well, last night at the Victoria’s Social Media Club, religion was talked about; openly, and with enthusiasm. The topic: Religion, Spirituality and Social Media. Leading the discussion were a three-person panel; Venerable Eshu Martin (Abbot) is the […]
Self-organized teams of 4: The new model for learning?
I was floored by this recent TED talk by Sugata Mitra: Child-driven Education, all about the potential and power of self-organized learning. Its message has huge implications for learning, no matter the age. I got wind of this talk via Johnnie moore. Here’s the video Experimenting with education In 1999, Mitra and his colleagues […]
Social status and friendship = a pair of opposites
We choose our friends. And, I’d like to be able to call anybody my friend, even if they are from a different social rank. Why is this so hard? Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett offer up some insight in the The Spirit Level: Why greater equality makes societies stronger. The big idea Collecting internationally comparable […]