We can make good things happen when we let go of differences and focus on commonality. I was reminded of this important lesson once again last week as I hosted Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, an inspirational woman, who ran 80 secret schools for girls under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
We can make good things happen when we let go of differences and focus on commonality.
I was reminded of this important lesson once again last week as I hosted Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, an inspirational woman, who ran 80 secret schools for girls under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
She told many interesting stories but this was one of my favorites: After the Taliban were defeated, Sakena busily increased the number of schools and students served by her organization. With this, her reputation for high quality education grew.
One day a staff member came to say that a group of men were demanding to see her. And, based on their turbans, long scraggly beards, and baggy clothes, he believed they represented a dangerous sect.
Sakena’s people were fearful- they begged her to consider her safety and refuse to meet them. After careful consideration, she decided to see them and her staff scattered.
All alone, with only a body guard (and her thumping heart), she covered her face, made tea and invited her guests inside. She expected them to threaten her and tell her to discontinue teaching girls but instead they asked for her help in building schools for their children!
Once she confirmed that they wanted education for girls as well as for boys she agreed to work with them. When she advised her people, they expressed concern that it was a trap. But Sakena trusted her intuition and forged forward.
She and her team successfully built the schools which are part of the public system run by the government today. But they wouldn’t be in existence if these two opposing groups hadn’t come together with a common goal – that of educating the children of Afghanistan.
Too often we make assumptions about people based on how they look. It gets in the way of potentially effective relationships, limiting the progress which could be made if we worked together.
Other times when we know we don’t agree with someone on a single issue, we shut them out entirely. But we can find commonality if we dig a little deeper and the results are worth it. If differences keep you from making good things happen, could you set them aside?
Facilitating vs. Leading
While masculine energy is all about leading, feminine energy chooses to facilitate. I was recently at a dinner where a newly-retired woman CEO address...
Everything Happens for a Reason
The universe gave me a signal and I followed it. I could have ignored it, but in my gut I knew it was right and there have been no regrets.
Making Money but Feeling Poor?
If we’re not working from our effortless energy, we can feel poor even if we are raking in the money. If we work without passion, motivated only by mo...
