Distinctive organizing principles influence and shape social systems. Historically, these principles defined membership in the system (who gets excluded), relationships among its members (who gets disrespected), and legal accountability for words and actions by those who are and are not members (who gets litigated). The name Excludes-Disrespects-Litigates summarizes the organizing principles for these prevailing, widespread social systems.
In contrast, mounting evidence challenges these principles and proposes new ones in the spirit of Together We Can:
Everyone belongs (we are all members of the human family with a common genetic blueprint);
Everyone connects to everyone else (a unique human spirit enables us to have shared feelings with experiences occurring in different locations); and,
Everyone counts (what we think, say, and do makes a difference; we are accountable for our thoughts, words, and actions).
When people become overly disenfranchised, abused, and discarded by Excludes-Disrespects-Litigates models, they experiment with organizational designs based on the Belongs-Connects-Counts principles. Fortunately, throughout my Together We Cancareer and beyond, I have had numerous opportunities to observe, engage, and consult with those willing to reorder their efforts based on these principles.
Among those is Wellness Weavers (WW), founded by Helen Stucky-Weaver. Concepts and programs such as “Wholistic Wellness,” “Together Everyone Achieves More Success” (TEAMS), “Wellness Oriented Mutual Aid Network” (WOMAN),” “Wellness Weavers Bee Attitudes,” “Grandmothering Inclusion,” etc., attest to the alignment of Wellness Weavers with “Belongs-Connects-Counts” principles.
As organizations such as Wellness Weavers emerge, they frequently face significant resistance from entities entrenched in the established social system. Individuals who embody the Belongs-Connects-Counts principles are often misunderstood or at odds with those operating within the Excludes-Disrespects-Litigates model. These misunderstandings and disagreements lower trust among participants and escalate into open conflicts. However, the good news is that when resolved, they lead to substantive, positive social system change.
Working through these impasses requires a shift in perspective:
Viewing all parties through the lens of the Belongs-Connects-Counts model,
Impartially assessing the words and actions of participants from that vantage point and
Reaching greater levels of mutual understanding and agreement on future steps together.
This tricky social landscape requires considerable finesse under duress to traverse. “There’s many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip.” Then again, not much worth doing is simple and easy!
More to follow based on my experiences with examples…