_Effective Communication
is Key to Occupy's Success
~~~ a statement from
the Bute Circle ~~~
Our vision is to replace the current “conflict”-dominated culture with a new one based on compassion and consensus.
Introduction: Westminster is no model
When groups of people get together it can be difficult to reach a consensus that reflects what individuals think and feel. The “debate” that occurs in Westminster represents everything that Occupy seeks to overturn. Grandstanding over minor policy differences and ignoring others' needs and fundamental issues such as the unsustainability of the current economic model, combatants bludgeon and humiliate each other as they compete for power, often making personal attacks. Even the Scottish Parliament, which set out to foster a more consensual form of politics, is increasingly resembling Westminster.
The Bute gathering
Ten Occupy supporters from a range of backgrounds and nationalities met over a January weekend in Bute to reflect on how to break away from modern society's tendency to condition people to be competitive and strive for their own needs to be met, often to the detriment of others, as typified by Westminster. The group drew on ancient traditions, as used by Native Americans and indigenous people around the world, including those of the British Isles, as well as more modern methodologies, to discuss how unity in diversity might be achieved.
What happened
Implementing The Circle Method of working in groups, the group achieved a profound level of communication and consensus – a remarkable sense of unity. Participants learned to listen to each other’s needs and address them in a sensitive way, making it possible for everyone to feel secure and part of a process. They were moved to issue the following statement.
Core Principle Statement:
Only when everyone's needs are met, are everyone's needs met
Occupy faces many challenges and people can feel pressured into working quickly. In this rush, old steps can be repeated, process can be ignored and individual needs can be neglected. When our needs are not met – or listened to – it becomes a challenge to listen to or be receptive to the needs of others. Poor decisions can be made, resentment can grow and conflict arise, potentially sabotaging the movement.
The relationship between communication and consensus is critical – the former must be nurtured to achieve the latter. The result is less energy wastage and more power to the work in hand. In other words, in order to reach effective decisions to which all participants feel committed, everyone needs to feel listened to and to see the whole picture. Sometimes , in order to speed up, one needs to slow down: only when everyone's needs are met, are everyone's needs met. That is the way to equality and true prosperity.
Compassionate communication essential
Learning new ways of relating to one another with compassion is not an optional extra; it is central to Occupy's success. Unless the deadlocked nature of politics worldwide is challenged, the impasse that prevents people from taking control of their own destinies will remain. Occupy must embody the change it wants to see in the world, not only because a consensual form of politics will reverse people's sense of alienation and disempowerment, attracting supporters and enabling individuals to fulfil their potential, but also because this is likely to be the best way to make policy decisions.
We therefore recommend the systematic teaching/dissemination of listening skills throughout the Occupy movement, for instance via The Circle Method, in conjunction with Non-Violent Communication (NVC) training (a methodology aimed at minimising conflict and misunderstanding already in use at some US Occupy sites), and elements of the Sedona Method (a simple tool aimed at helping individuals rid themselves of painful or unwanted feelings, thoughts or beliefs).
Our vision is to replace the current “conflict”-dominated culture with a new one based on compassion and consensus.
Conclusion
Bute has become the birthing place for a new way of being for the Occupy Movement in Scotland. The unity achieved there is something that, given time and a sound strategic plan, could and should be widely replicated amongst other communities within Occupy and beyond.
We are now working towards the implementation of what was learned on Bute into the wider Occupy Movement. There are already plans ahead for training in Communication Skills and the Circle Method to take place and we would love to hear from others interested in finding out more about this kind of work.