Language: bringing forth new creations for a regenerative future…

“By continually expanding the distinctions available to observe and participate in the world in a myriad of ways, humans increase the diversity of ways they can coordinate their actions.  Humans are continually inventing new ways of doing things together and so bring forth new creations, whether it is a new dance, more ecologically sustainable buildings or new forms of communication technology.  All this occurs in and through languaging.”  Alan Sieler, Coaching to the Human Soul, Volume 3, page 124.

The increasing number of ways we can describe the solution side of sustainability creates more ways for us to get there.

What Music Means (to Me)

Reblogged from Alan AtKisson - Words & Music:

A few years ago, I heard someone ask the veteran global trend analyst Lester Brown — who is known for dire warnings about the state of the planet — this question: “How do you maintain your optimism?”

“I have a one-word answer for that,” said Lester. “Bourbon.”

As someone whose professional life often involves analyzing global trends, and then informing others about them (while trying to help them change the direction of those trends), I often get asked the same question.

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Alan's book "Believing Cassandra" was a great insight for me at the start of my sustainability journey.     What helps you nurture and sustain yourself?

A quick “body hack” for sustainability change-makers…

Changing your body will change your effectiveness.

I found Amy Cuddy’s TED talk about this last week, then was reminded in a training session the other day that 93% of human communication is n0n-verbal:

• 7% what you say
• 38% tonality
• 55% body language

So what your body says is the most powerful part of your communication – and it’s surprisingly easy to shift it.

Myers-Briggs insights for sustainable business change agents…

During my early coach training, I learned about the Myers-Briggs  temperament preferences – it helped me understand some of my frustrations in the world and gave me some insights into how I could operate more effectively.  It was like the time I found out about the basics of perspective and proportion in drawing – there were actually tools that could help me to create a better result with less frustration.

3 simple practices for success in the business sustainability game

GreenBiz.com recently released its 2013 State of the Profession report on the sustainability executive job market.  One of its findings was that there are key ways of being that support sustainability leadership success – particularly curiosity and an ambition to communicate effectively.

There is a trio of definable and practicable mindsets that support these ways of being. In the same way that Pilates builds core strength in our physical bodies, these practices build emotional resilience and are a strong foundation for career and life success.  The three practices are acceptance, ambition and curiosity/wonder.

Could you help generate the next Ray Anderson?

More and more people these days know who Ray Anderson was – one of the great entrepreneurs, and a world leader in regenerative business.   It’s tempting to just accept the 20th century’s “super hero” assumption – but there was more to it than just inspiration.  Ray got inspired because he  had to be inspiring – giving a kick-off speech to his sustainability working party.

There was a process BEHIND Ray Anderson’s “aha” moment on sustainability…

Cacti can clean up poisonous soils

Reblogged from Grist:

Here are a few things you do with a prickly pear cactus: Get poked. Turn its fruit into jam. Use it to clean up dangerous concentrations of selenium in arid California lands.

In California's San Joaquin Valley, a long history of artificial irrigation has impregnated the soil with selenium. In small quantities, selenium is beneficial to humans and animals -- essential, even.

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Regenerative Thinking in Practice. Principle #5 - Leverage Nature's Solutions Nature has spent millions of years working out how to do things  with renewable materials at room temperature - let's make the most of those answers. More on Biomimicry and Industrial Design at: http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/case-studies/case-studies/industrial-design.html