Tip: Move together
A coaching tip for everyday magic
The Alchemists Clubhouse is a weekly newsletter of art, poetry, and coaching tips. Full members receive access to live Zoom workshops plus the entire library of recorded workshops.
I love Celeste Davis’ brilliant writing on culture here on Substack, and her essay this week on relationships as the bedrock of health and happiness really struck a chord with me. I have heard for years now, from so many people, how difficult it is to nurture existing friendships much less make new ones. Please read and let Celeste inspire you to recommit to friendship and connection in your life!
I also spoke this week with one of my favorite writers on followership, Chris Monö. I highly recommend his new book, Why We Follow, and our new interview on the Lead & Follow podcast. His ideas are powerful and provocative, exactly what is necessary right now.
This week’s tip is move together.
In the midst of the ongoing polycrisis we’re moving through, I’m struggling everyday to know what to do with my precious time. I’ve found the idea of moving together gives me more direction.
The idea is simple, but not simplistic, and certainly not easy logistically or emotionally. Rather than asking myself what to do, I’ve starting asking myself where to connect.
I know it is tempting to seek an immediate answer. We all want answers, solutions, fixes. But the answer to a complex problem never comes from a single person, it comes from collective action. It comes from moving together.
This can be as simple having coffee with a friend, or it can be a sophisticated 3-day ideation process on a team retreat. It can be attending a protest, a council meeting, or a dance class. The principle is the same: the answer to what we need emerges together, when we have context, when we have connection. Your powers of followership, not leadership, are what will more reliably bring you into action.
Followership has been stereotyped as blind obedience, and it can be, but it can also ethical decision-making. Yes, following is decision-making. Who or what are you following, supporting, giving your attention to? That is an powerful choice.
When we are together with others who share a common goal, we more naturally follow the person, group, or idea most likely to take us toward that goal. When we’re isolated, we can’t see, hear, or feel other people, groups, or ideas, and so we often feel lost or uncertain about where to go or what to do.
Here’s one way to start moving together:
Identify a specific concern (there are many, I know, but get as specific as you can)
Find other(s) who share your specific concern (in person is best, but online works)
Trust the group (stay open to what might emerge)
Follow the person or idea that represents the direction you want to go
Take the next logical step
If you’d like to learn more about how coaching can help you take action when you feel stuck, or if you would like support with a personal or professional challenge, please reach out for a private consultation.
