Two quotes to give you much to consider:
“..as societies become more affluent they tend to require more, rather than less, time and commitment by the individual, and it’s possible that many people feel that affluence and safety simply aren’t a good trade for freedom.”
“As affluence and urbanization rise…rates of depression and suicide go up..increased wealth in a society seems to foster clinical depression.”
Sebastian Junger is a war zone reporter who had a curiosity about community. Consider what your relationship is between community and authority? When one goes up, the other tends to go down. The importance of having friends beyond work is accentuated right now – as we have such a large population retiring and readying to retire. When you are out of balance with authority – then leaning on community for support in transition is difficult.
Start with – How can we see that we have more in common than in conflict? And the most powerful quote of this book to me came in response to a question from the author: “If you want a society to work you don’t keep underscoring the places where you are different. You underscore the shared humanity.”
Judy Hissong, CLM
Judy Hissong is the President of Nesso Strategies. A former law firm Chief Operating Officer, she helps firms become more profitable by advising leaders in strategic and leadership development challenges. Her mission is “world domination for Good.” By creating actionable, lightbulb moments that leaders want to share and spread, she intends to improve the world one person at a time. When she’s not speaking, training and consulting, Judy teaches quarterly online workshops and facilitates Leaders Lab, a monthly video conference that enables small groups of leaders to brainstorm strategies and solutions to work through common issues that keep firms stuck. Learn more at www.nessostrategies.com.
