At this time of disruption and severe hardship, there are lots of examples of inspiring collaboration – most notably among healthcare professionals, educators, and essential workers. Thank you!

Today more than ever, effective connection and community collaboration are necessary for emergency response, recovery, and ongoing well-being. 

Here are some hallmarks of genuine connection and keys for collaboration to create a healthier, more resilient future.

Urgency. Few big things are created without shared urgency for something new, better, or different. What significant problem in your community requires immediate attention? Who shares your interest and motivation to tackle this problem now?  

Curiosity. Our most difficult problems will not be solved with the same knowledge and practices that created them. Understanding why things happen is a first step toward building new, better, and different things. Rigorous cause-and-effect analysis and multi-disciplinary inquiry accelerate learning, problem-solving, and invention!

Humility + Diversity. Although strong communities tend to welcome self-confident individuals, effective partnerships expect members to know their limitations and defer to others who may be better suited at-times to serve the wider community. Likewise, most resilient communities know they get stronger faster when they welcome and respect diverse people, beliefs, and perspectives.

Competence. While imagination helps us envision a better future, we need actual skill and competence to solve real problems. What expertise is required to address the big issues in your community? What skills and experience do you have to make a difference?

Action + Connection. Beyond good ideas and intentions, action + connection make things happen. Take initiative with others. Do something. Stay connected. Design, build, test, and fail fast. Action changes things. Keep learning, leading, and getting better, together!