The world needs global warming . . . not the environmental kind, but the relational kind!!!! Every day in the news we see articles about the rapid increase of global warming and its disastrous effects on the environment. What if we begin to see a quickening of global warming in the way people, individuals, families, communities, and countries relate to one another? What if this movement grew so fast that it surprised everyone? What if the walls that separate us from acting as though we cherish and honor each other came crashing down as the icebergs in Antarctica? What if the temperature of warmth in all relationships began to rise?
I have had the good fortune to travel to many countries around the globe in the last 10 years spreading the word about coaching, both for ILCT and for the profession at large. I have noticed that people everywhere respond well to human friendliness despite the politics of the countries. If you act friendly, you are treated with friendliness. If you are courteous, you are treated courteously. If you ask people about themselves with non-judgmental curiosity, they respond with glee and openness.
My belief in what the spread of authentic coaching conversations could do for the world is enormous. What would it take to start a coaching conversation movement similar to what the woman in Africa who is planting millions of trees did? Or think about the young teenagers who started “cell phones for soldiers” as a way for the armed service men and women around the globe to communicate affordably with their families.
How many other great movements have started with just “a good idea shared with friends?” What would it take to get coaching conversations as a buzzword on YouTube, MySpace, Google, Yahoo, and blogs everywhere? I believe that people really want to feel more connected to others and curiosity about other cultures is better than prejudice that prevents openness to learning.
Let me know how we can start Global Warming in People’s hearts and spread this message around the globe. December is a time for celebrating many religious holidays, the winter solstice, and a time of hope and desires for peace and loving expressions. Wouldn’t it be great if that spark kindled a huge expression and outpouring of warmth that would begin to shock the experts and the political leaders?
Will you help? Send me your ideas let’s do something to create an increase in human global warming in all relationships we touch!
Margaret Wheatley perhaps said it best: “Relationships are all there is. Everything in the universe only exists because it is in relationship to everything else. Nothing exists in isolation. We have to stop pretending we are individuals who can go it alone. I believe we can change the world if we start listening to one another again — simple, honest, human conversation. Not mediation, negotiation, problem solving, debate, or public meetings. Simple, truthful conversations where we each have a chance to speak, we each feel heard, and we each listen well.“
Listen to Dr. Williams discuss the mission of CGV on