The Starfish and The Spider is a book that questions the way we think about the nature of leadership. Much of our culture and history has revolved around hierarchical, top-down leadership. You look at the structure and you know who’s boss. You know where the buck stops. We build careers around climbing the ladder, hoping… Continue reading Books: The Starfish and The Spider
It Takes A Community To Spread An Idea
Watching Amazing Grace, you’d be forgiven for thinking that slavery in the UK was abolished singlehandedly by William Wilberforce. Fortunately, the story isn’t quite so simple. Wilberforce wasn’t alone. He was part of a community that later became known as the ‘Clapham Sect’. They were a group of God-fearing activists who lived close to each… Continue reading It Takes A Community To Spread An Idea
Change Makers Avoid Insulation
If you want to stay alive to the world, it’s important to avoid becoming segregated from the needs around you. Wholeheartedly embracing a life of change means opening your eyes to the pain of the world and letting it shape you. Image by Zoriah That’s one of the reasons travelling can be so good. It… Continue reading Change Makers Avoid Insulation
Are You Living a Good Story?
If your familiar with Donald Miller, you’ll know about his passion for good storytelling. While he was researching story as a way of growing his writing, he developed the idea that if we consciously plan our lives using the elements of story, we will live better, more focussed lives. The kind of lives that our… Continue reading Are You Living a Good Story?
Are we going the way of the buffalo?
Here’s a stirring call to action from Antonie Fountain, former director of STOP THE TRAFFIK in the Netherlands:
5 Totally Selfish Reasons To Become A Change Maker
You may think that you have to be a self-sacrificing saint to become a Change Maker. That’s not true! Here are 5 good reasons for selfish people to pursue change: You meet amazing people I’ve met some of my favourite people in the course of pursuing change. These people have courage, determination and amazing stories.… Continue reading 5 Totally Selfish Reasons To Become A Change Maker
Why Awareness is for Pussies
One day a friend of mine, who knew I had a blog about human rights violations and injustices, sent me a post from the Stuff White People Like blog, entitled Awareness. Here’s the gist: An interesting fact about white people is that they firmly believe that all of the world’s problems can be solved through “awareness.” Meaning the… Continue reading Why Awareness is for Pussies
Switching the focus
Last December I was reminded of how much I value mobilising and facilitating change when I was asked to speak to a group of 14 and 15 year old school kids in Sweden. They wanted to know about the baby rescue project that my wife and I had been involved with, and our plans to… Continue reading Switching the focus
Let’s get this show on the road
Welcome to the first post on Change Writer, a blog that will be exploring how you can become a change maker in the world around you. When I first started asking this question, I was very aware of the problems and pain around me, but had no idea where to start. As I travelled and… Continue reading Let’s get this show on the road