An article about a professor in Baylor University’s School of Social Work gave me A New View of Assets and Opportunities. It also taught me about a relationship model used by social relief workers:
ex:
In the article, the BU prof was quoted: “If we don’t build relationships, we are feeding bodies, but we are not going deeper.” She believes in the importance of developing relationships with individuals and taking the time to learn about them, their circumstances, their processes, rather than simply providing services like a lunchlady haphazardly slapping a steaming pile of gray mush on a tray and indifferently motioning for the line to move along.
When we take the time to see each other, and learn how and why we all have the perspectives we do, things can change drastically. Relationships start to change. Reactions become less severe. Progress–and not mere change–can be made.
It’s how we can make each other better. We are each other’s teachers about what it’s like to live life as ourselves. And we can crowdsource solutions in both theory and practice. When we have a better understanding of an issue, we can provide better solutions. When we include everyone in the solutions, too, they’re more likely to stick, to stack, and to stay in place as the foundation for future solutions.
There are major benefits to collaboration. I invite you to read more of my astricles about how we can work together, individiually.
And give me a shout on Twitter about any ideas you have, or just say “hey!”