CONNECT THE DOTS

Every time there's a tragedy, we over-simplify the problem and, thus, we over-simplify the solution. Are you one of the people that prioritizes "your solution" above "solving the problem itself?" Are you one of the people that blocks any progress on a perceived component of the problem because of your own views of what the problem is and what the solution should be? The complexity of systemic problems requires that we take action on multiple root issues and leverage points to make meaningful change. Give me a few minutes.

Action needs to be taken for the system to change. A system in stasis will not naturally change without an outside force. How do we practice solidarity across traditional thematic issues to help change the system? Narrow-focus movements that currently exist should start supporting other causes too in order to practice solidarity and build social pressure for the change we want and need. Otherwise, we can't change the system. Give me a few minutes.

Do you know there's a clear difference between the words 'strategy' and 'plan'? Do you know what that difference is or how to apply it in your everyday life? The nuance between 'outcomes' and 'destinations' is everything. What does that mean for our politics? Give me a few minutes.

Right now, there are three competing battles happening in our collective politics. You've known about one for a long time - that's the Left vs the Right. But did you know we have a growing Establishment vs Anti-Establishment battle? Or a growing Politically Correct vs Politically Incorrect battle? Can you guess how these three link back to Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton? Give me a few minutes.

Do you know what values really are and how they impact your leadership practices? How about mindsets? Do you understand how mindsets impact the way we process information? How do these two concepts come together to shape our leadership and political practices as well as our ability to influence others? How can you change someone's mindset quickly? Give me a few minutes.

There are two types of change continuous (incremental) and discontinuous (transformation/disruptive). What is the difference between these two types of change? How can leadership be responsive to communities and manage both incremental or disruptive change initiatives? Give me a few minutes.

Where do you find yourself on the ladder of engagement? Apathetic? Us vs Them? Issue-oriented? Systemic? Some people move up the ladder. Some people never change. Many don't understand where they truly sit. The best way to understand where you sit on the ladder is to think about what you do in between elections. Give me a few minutes.

When is an apple not a fruit? When it's an iPhone. Sensitivity to word choice is one of the strangest phenomena in our linguistics. Why is this so important? How does Donald Trump create so many supporters and opponents with just his words? What are his supporters hearing that his opponents aren't? Give me a few minutes.

The key to changing hearts and minds is not to be abrasive and try to debate or "one-down" the person you are trying to influence. The key to changing hearts and minds is to "join them in the hole and show them the way out". You will never be able to change someone by attacking their beliefs. You must understand their beliefs first. Give me a few minutes.

We all love technology, but how is it impacting our democracy and our movements? How is distracting us from the real problems that exist in the real world? Are we entrapping an entire generation from an attention standpoint? How is this all impacting our power and our leadership? This and more in the 3rd full episode of Connect the Dots.