Hi, friends.

I started the New Leaders Network with a simple premise- we need new leaders. Most folks in my orbit are already leaders- organizing in their communities, facilitating coalitions, and directing nonprofit organizations. We need new leaders also means we need new leadership, since we are the ones we've been waiting for.

The water that we swim in is top-down, influenced by power (which results in power imbalances), and inequitable. Most decisions are made by folks not directly impacted by the decisions they're making. We can do it differently. I would advocate that we must, if we want to benefit our people and the planet and live into our audacious missions.

​So, New Leaders is the space/place to grow, gather and rest. ​

In April's Grow Circle, we were engaged in conversation around facilitating alignment by Erin Allgood. Inevitably, that conversation turned to conflict and how to coalesce groups of people with different experiences and often varying agendas.

Imagine this- we are convening around an issue that our group cares about. We spend time identifying our North Star- what we hope to achieve when we row together. While we may want the "same thing" (do we, though?), we often have very different ideas on the best way to get there. This causes conflict.

For April's Gather Circle, we got curious and asked- What's the value of conflict?

Here's what we came up with.

We're spending May's Gather Circle in a curious posture as well.

Many of us have become highly practiced at discussing what is painful, urgent, broken, exhausting, or overwhelming. But what would it look like to bring that same depth of reflection to what feels nourishing, meaningful, connective, beautiful, or life giving?

We’ll spend time exploring the experiences, relationships, moments, conditions, and connections to the natural world that help us feel grounded, connected, seen, hopeful, or alive and practice staying with those experiences with more intention and curiosity.

Together, we’ll reflect on what sustains us, what helps us keep going, where we already see these things present in ourselves, others, community, and nature, and how we might strengthen our ability to notice and cultivate them more fully.

This Circle will be led by Kristin Clark of Practicing, Together.

May's Gather Circle is happening on Friday. I'd love to have you join us in this space. New Leaders Network membership is accessible. It's virtual, so drop in to the spaces you're able to. It's sliding scale, so pay what you can either monthly or annually. There's a 7-day free trial, so cancel anytime.

Looking forward,