Conflict Competence

Sometimes, the stars align. As 2008 closes on a low note, let’s not forget that change is born in turbulence.

At the mega-scale, there’s the economic crisis, global climate change, ongoing war, and a new regime in America. At the micro-scale, it translates into worry about personal finances, different decisions about lifestyles, public condemnation of those who believe differently, and leadership under scrutiny to do something.  

Let’s be honest. If times were good, we would want more of the same. Same economics. Same politics. Same relationships. Hard times create the chance to fix things that are wrong.

Finally, we are hearing: 

• talk of re-making the economy as if the environment mattered; 
• politicians admit we need to talk across the political divide to create a united effort; 
• interest in finding educational and social change alternatives to war;  
• that leading means being visionary as well as being pragmatic. 

It’s awful that people are getting beaten up financially. It will be even more awful if we don’t use this convergence of turbulent events to create a better, more sustainable future.