January is a harbinger of new beginnings, as fresh new habits replace the old. Yet many of us got a head start on this feeling of momentum — on Nov. 30th to be exact — the day over 750 South Carolinians from every corner of our state gathered in Columbia at the Liberty Fellowship Summit. The Summit topic was change: true change with the potential to move our state forward through a blueprint for effective actions.
Dan Heath, co-author of widely-read “Switch" and "Made to Stick,” jump-started the Summit with a question we should ask ourselves every day: Why is it so hard to make lasting changes in our companies, in our communities and in our own lives? Heath pointed out that it stems from a deeply instilled inner conflict between the rational mind and the emotional mind — the rational mind wants a fit and trim body, but the emotional mind wants a cookie.
There are detailed and well-crafted explanations of getting past this conflict of the mind. But it boils down to this: Find what works and do it. Then do more of it. Don’t waste time doing what doesn’t work. Heath calls this “identifying the Bright Spots,” making ideas and plans to make things better.
The Summit on Nov. 30th resounded with 750 voices from across this state — voices belonging to men and women with a diversity of perspectives and wide range of thought — who want to make our state better. These people care about and want to talk about what’s working in South Carolina. They are interested in “what if” and “why not?” Their vocabularies don’t include “can’t,” “don’t” and “won’t.”
Each participant joined a forum for whose topic they have a passion, topics we at Liberty Fellowship routinely discuss: economic development, education, public policy, and health/environment. All four forums were comprised of folks from various geographic regions and of varying political associations. At each table was a group who brought to that table the common denominator of passion for positive dialogue that leads to effective action on critical issues facing our state.
Once Heath presented the Liberty Fellowship model for discussion, all began addressing issues specific to South Carolina. With laser focus, participants talked, agreed, disagreed and, yes, argued. Wandering among the groups, I heard time and again voices identifying South Carolina’s bright spots and other voices brainstorming how to replicate those bright spots. I heard positive collaboration. I heard raw, candid conversations among people with utterly different perspectives. I could literally hear minds opening.
At every table, eight people were discussing South Carolina’s significant challenges and how to apply the “bright spot” thinking. Individually and collectively, these South Carolinians care deeply about where our state is going … and how we are going to get there.
Our goal for the summit was lofty (and the exact same overall goal we have for Liberty Fellowship): to make South Carolina a better place for all South Carolinians.
And dad gum, it worked.
Hundreds of South Carolinians left the Summit saying “Let’s talk. We may agree, disagree, or agree to disagree. Our solutions may not be perfect. But let’s make our dialogue productive.”
No one tuned out what they heard from those of another race, religion, gender, political philosophy or geographic region. Our feedback surveys affirmed that folks were most influenced by the person at the table who was least like them, because that person provided a different lens through which to consider our state.
Far from satisfied with the status quo, this group will not stand on the sidelines. This group has the courage to act.
Now what?
Well, let’s look at our Bright Spots: We just inaugurated a new governor. We have new faces in the Department of Commerce, Education, the State Budget and Control Board, among others.
Another Bright Spot: Leaders from across the state with a diversity of perspectives and wide range of thought are now talking about the critical topics identified in the four Forum arenas. Individually and collectively, this group of 750 has committed to a productive dialogue. You can feel the momentum.
Does our state face unprecedented challenges? Absolutely.
Are there bright spots? Absolutely.
Let’s challenge all South Carolinians to start thinking about those Bright Spots and how we can replicate them. The Liberty Fellowship forums are open to anyone passionate about positive change. So please consider joining one through our website, www.libertyfellowshipsc.org.
There are truly countless ways to get involved; the simplest is to start a positive dialogue about what’s going right and how we can replicate it. Such passion and participation will make a difference and move our state forward in the critical areas of Education, Economic Development, Public Policy and Health & Environment.
We’re fully immersed in nomination season for the Liberty Fellowship Class of 2013. All South Carolinians between ages 30 and 45 who are successful in their own right, are active in their community, and have the potential to make an impact at the state level are eligible. Nominations close Feb. 1. So go on: identify another Bright Spot.
