How do we transform the world for the better?

Four quotations that are churning around my mind as I dwell on the problems of the world, transformation and what it takes to achieve it.

For both the rich and the poor, life is dominated by an ever growing current of problems, most of which seem to have no real and lasting solution.

Clearly we have not touched the deeper causes of our troubles.

It is the main point of this book that the ultimate source of all these problems is in thought itself, the very thing of which our civilization is most proud, and therefore the one thing that is "hidden" because of our failure seriously to engage with its actual working in our own lives and in individual life of the society.

Credit: David Bohm, Changing Consciousness

The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.

Credit: Albert Einstein

My belief is that the way we create conversations that overcome the fragmented nature of our communities is what creates an alternative future.

This can be a difficult stance to take for we have a deeply held belief that the way to make a difference in the world is to define problems and needs and then recommend actions to solve those needs.

We are all problem solvers, action oriented and results minded. It is illegal in this culture to leave a meeting without a to-do list.

We want measurable outcomes and we want them now.

What is hard to grasp is that it is this very mindset which prevents anything fundamental from changing.

We cannot problem solve our way into fundamental change, or transformation.

This is not an argument against problem solving; it is an intention to shift the context and language within which problem solving takes place.

Authentic transformation is about a shift in context and a shift in language and conversation. It is about changing our idea of what constitutes action.

Credit: Peter Block

So what is it they we need to change about our thinking or mindset that will help us transform the world for the better?

Are there a few key leverage points that would have a dramatic impact? Is there one that stands out?

There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.

Credit: Henry David Thoreau

There are so many people in the world trying to do good but then why are we making such poor progress?