True dialogue is transformational
True dialogue is transformational
It requires humility
Here are two ideas from my book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable and other texts I leaned on in writing it. In addition, I’ve included one quote, a book recommendation, and a video or article that has inspired or influenced me and hopefully will resonate with you, too. (That’s ✌🏿+ 💡📚➕).
Page 201
The Advantages of Having High CQ
"The advantages of having high CQ Strategy and Action can close gaps for someone who has high levels of CQ Drive and Knowledge. As David Livermore states, “CQ strategy is the key link between our cultural understanding and behaving in ways that result in effective leadership.” And “CQ action is primarily the outcome of our drive, knowledge, and strategy.”
I like to use the example of a music producer. Music producers listen very closely. Before they start working with a musician, they begin to consider their current experience with the artist from past live performances, conversations about their musical vision, and many other areas. They think and then rethink what might be possible in co-creation with the artist. They try one configuration, reflect on it along with the artist, and then they try again. Each time, the idea is that they seek to capture the perspectives of all those who will be interacting with the music–the artist(s), the audience, in some cases the record label, and of course themselves. Every engagement is an opportunity to engage in bidirectional, multimodal, and multidimensional learning.
I see CQ Strategy and Action as similar to what renowned Brazilian sociologist and educator Paulo Freire refers to as praxis, “reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it.” Freire states that many people see dialogue as debate. It is an attempt to be right, to win. The connotation for dialogue for many is an oppressive one of dominance and subordination. True dialogue is transformational. It requires humility. We might even use the term “cultural humility” in this instance. It is a respectful stance that holds the aspiration of understanding—no one wins if the other leaves feeling disrespected or devalued in any capacity."
Photo by Jonas Zürcher on Unsplash
Page 201-202
"Continuing with a Freirean analogy, producers need to be in the stance of the “teacher-student,” careful not to overly attach to their “knowing” and impose their views on the artist(s). And if we take ourselves as producers practicing CQ Strategy and Action, other times we will be in dialogue with the artists taking the perspective of “student-teachers” on the views and concerns of all. As Avinash Kumar writes on The Educationist blog, “This confluence of ideas and views would lead to the ‘co-creation’ of content and new knowledge (for both).”
If you think about your cross-cultural interactions in the past, where could you have benefited from better reflection and adaptation? Consider planning cross-cultural interactions, checking your assumptions and plans, adapting your communication style, taking a different negotiation approach, and practicing praxis."
💡A Quote
“If there’s something you don’t understand, you have to go humbly to it. You don’t go to school and sit down and say I know what you’re getting ready to teach me, you know? You sit there and you learn. You open your mind. you absorb. You’ve got to be quiet, you’ve got to be still to do this.”
📚A Book
Photo Credit: Amazon.com
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
➕A Video
Don’t Chase Happiness: Become Antifragile, Tal Ben-Shahar | Big Think
A snippet:
“Pursuing happiness directly can cause more harm than good. But breaking it down into its elements, can lead us to enjoy the indirect pursuit of happiness, and by extension to raise our overall levels of happiness.”
I hope this was helpful. . . Make it a great day! ✌🏿
In the latest episode of the ‘Reconstructing Inclusion’ podcast, Amri along with esteemed Philosophers, Dr. Subrena Smith and Dr. David Livingstone Smith, offer profound insights into the complex dynamics of race and its impact on society.