We need to keep talking ...

This morning, as I took my usual early morning walk with the dog, I was struck by the contrasting feelings inside me.  On the one hand, I felt touched by the beautiful morning sun as it reflected on the houses in my neighbourhood.  It evoked a sense of wonder in me.  At the same time, however, like so many, I felt deeply disturbed by events taking place just over 2,000 miles away in Ukraine.  I don't know enough about how we got here to pontificate, but I do know that I feel scared, angry and sad.

I've spent the best part of this week working with groups in organisations  - and inter-organisational - helping them to talk with each other about their working relationships: how the different and often competing demands and pressures impact the way they relate to and see each other and what is needed to keep them communicating, especially during the periods of heightened stresses and tensions.  Being in the room together, face to face, listening, talking, laughing together, helps reduce the projections of 'us' and 'them'.

More than ever, we need to keep talking ... because when the talking stops things can get serious, and dangerous, very quickly.