And 'Gentle Action' To Transform Our Lives And Our World
We have to innovate! This requires us to think 'outside the box'. And as creative Attraction Marketers, this is what we must do if we want to lead at the cutting edge and stay relevant. We can learn much from people who are thought and action leaders. They can help us bring about positive transformations in our own lives, businesses and communities. David Peat is such a leader. There is an all too familiar challenge, namely how to prevent interventions into communities from going off-track, despite them being done with the best of intentions. The problem here is that, whilst well-intentioned, such interventions are being introduced from 'outside' the community and hence, all to frequently, the result is unforeseen negative consequences. David Peat addresses the dilemma by proposing that 'gentle action' be taken instead. A 'gentle action' begins within the system in question, rather than imposing or introducing another system from without. When this approach is taken, creative ways emerge from within the system itself. Whilst this is not exactly new - much having been written about such an approach to action within, for example, the Field of Narrative Therapy and by recipients of first-world intervention after situations of crisis - it does however open our eyes and make us sensitive to possibilities that we might not otherwise have entertained. In the following short video David Peat tells us a little about his approach and gives us a lovely example of 'gentle action' at work.
And for more inspiring examples of vision and gentle action visit the blog. My favourite (December 2009) is the story of The Library in the Telephone Box! The Farm Story by Bonnie is also a fascinating account. This is a tale of a transformational shift in perception experienced by students on field-placement (May 1st 2009). And for an excellent example of how good intentions failed to take perceptions within the local community into account, thus undermining the entire project, read Powdered Milk (April 20th 2009). And see how such a tiny act planted a seed that changed the vision of a child in Looking someone in the eye (July 26th 2009). Click here for the 'gentleaction' Website. And click here for the 'gentle action' Blog Scroll down to Archives on the right-hand side of the page, where you will see the dates of the different Blog posts.
Before taking any gentle action we must first listen! This is essential when bringing the attraction marketing approach to any business. We must first listen to what our niche market is telling us about their concerns and challenges. Otherwise we take the risk of coming in from the outside and having our good intentions go pear-shaped. Even if we are a member ourselves of our niche market, we still need to listen first to understand not only what our niche market wants, but also how they want us to deliver solutions. But more about that when we get down to the 'nitty-gritty' of doing attraction marketing!
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When we have a vision for ourselves, our business or our world, we have to get creative to transform it into reality.
