Mindfulness deepens our awareness of reality in all its aspects. Observation and reflection help to draw meaning and coherence from a stream of incoherent experiences. With mindfulness, we gain the distance we need in order to experience reality without premature judgment. Stillness as well as individual and collective reflection cut through habitual thought patterns or preconceptions. We become more responsive to what the future needs and our actions become more helpful for sustainability.
Self-reflection; stillness; collective reflection; deeper evaluation of experience; insightfulness; observation; connection with our or others’ stories; gratitude; multi-level awareness (reflecting while acting); search for meaning; finding coherence; awareness of fears; looking beyond surface reality; attention to human encounter; mastering the mind
Balance is a dynamic movement and an essential feature of life that integrates different spheres for the benefit of the whole. Whether these are personal and professional aspirations, the interests of the individual and the collective, or a rhythm between our passion, our commitment, and the time we set aside for reflection, depends on the context. Getting the balance right furthers clarity in our collaborative sustainability initiatives and helps us stay relaxed in complexity.
Well managed integration of personal and professional life; negotiating between the interests of the individual and the collective; attention to alleviating power imbalances; integrating opposing views; attention to personal relationships; attention to life goals and meaning; knowledge on how to operate best; taking care of health issues; finding a rhythm between passion, commitment and reflection; cultivation of individual and collective times of renewal
Empathy furthers seeing our shared humanity and the interconnectedness of life on our planet. Embracing the perspective of others can lead to better solutions and opens gateways for reconciliation. When we see the person behind the task, recognize the story behind a difficult to accept person, or reach out to the humanness in other people, we have gone a long way to making collaboration work. Respect for differences, even if we disagree in content, is one of the most important ingredients for trust building – an essential fuel for effective collaboration.
Stepping into the perspective of somebody; attention to each other’s humanness; reconciliation; listening to the story behind a difficult to understand situation; giving appreciation; basing actions on love and compassion; giving respect; acknowledging the dignity of another person.
Peter is the Executive Director of DiversAct, an international NGO in Europe. The mission of the organization is to put biodiversity and natural resource management high on the public agenda.
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Andrea is the sustainability manager of a European energy supply company that intends to enter into the renewable energy field, but still runs coal and a few nuclear energy plants.
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Celine is a water engineer and the chair of the inter-ministerial coordination committee for the implementation of the drinking water policy in an African Country.
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Nadeem is leading a complex strategic sustainability initiative between NGOs, development cooperation, the public sector and the private sector.
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Mike is the CEO of medium-size textile company. When he joined the company, sustainability issues were still seen as belonging to the communication department.
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