"I read this inspiring volume by Jim this past December, while on a flight over to our Hong Kong International School. Safe to say that the book elevated my thoughts well beyond the 38,000 feet at which his reflections were consumed.”
— Kevin Robson, Chief Mission Officer
A note to our LCMS friends:
This book was written in a secular fashion. We aimed for an “ecumenical” style, accessible to all, the world over. Please make the translation into the LCMS world.
We had decided that the secular orientation would allow us to show the greatest contrast between the gravitational pull in society of “how bad things are” — in contrast to the wisdom of choosing to see the good, and how much those strengths can inspire what is possible.
Few people know this, but it was Fred Bleeke who got me going on writing this book, just after he had made the transition from Lutheran Hour Ministries to the Lutheran Foundation.
— Jim Lord
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A note to our friends at LDS Philanthropies:
This book was written in a secular fashion. We aimed for an “ecumenical" style, accessible to all, the world over. Please make the translation into your world.
We had decided that the secular orientation would allow us to show the greatest contrast between the gravitational pull in society of "how bad things are" – in contrast to the wisdom of choosing to see the good, and how much those strengths can inspire what is possible.
— Jim Lord
[memb_contact fields=FirstName], thank you for subscribing to What Kind of World Do You Want?
I am so pleased to be able to be in support of you and [memb_contact fields=_Facilitator] with this series of brief pieces.
An important next step: Check your email for a message from me. It should arrive in the next few minutes. Be sure to click the link in it to confirm your email address, so we can send you future installments of this series.
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—Jim Lord
Welcome, [memb_contact fields=FirstName]!
I’m so glad you’re here. I know you’re going to get as much out of this series as I have.
And I’m pleased to have connected you with Jim Lord and the other good folks at The Center for Leadership Philanthropy. Their work has inspired and informed my work for some time now.
In fact, as a Certified Philanthropic Quest Facilitator, I’m offering strategic retreats using the ideas and methods you’ll learn about in this series. It’s a privilege to be doing this work and I’m grateful for your interest in knowing more about it.
By the way, in case you don’t see yourself as engaged in “philanthropy,” let me add this: As you’ll soon see, we work from an expanded understanding of "philanthropy" (beyond the solely financial).
phi·lan·thro·py
tangible expressions of
love for humanity
So this work is relevant to everyone who seeks to further the common good, as we honor and encourage the many ways human beings take action to benefit others.
Enjoy the series and let me know what strikes you as you get into it. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts.
—Megan Riebe
Welcome, [memb_contact fields=FirstName]!
I’m so glad you’re here. I know you’re going to get as much out of this series as I have.
And I’m pleased to have connected you with Jim Lord and the other good folks at The Center for Leadership Philanthropy. Their work has inspired and informed my work for some time now.
In fact, as a Certified Philanthropic Quest Facilitator, I’m offering strategic retreats using the ideas and methods you’ll learn about in this series. It’s a privilege to be doing this work and I’m grateful for your interest in knowing more about it.
By the way, in case you don’t see yourself as engaged in “philanthropy,” let me add this: As you’ll soon see, we work from an expanded understanding of "philanthropy" (beyond the solely financial).
phi·lan·thro·py
tangible expressions of
love for humanity
So this work is relevant to everyone who seeks to further the common good, as we honor and encourage the many ways human beings take action to benefit others.
Enjoy the series and let me know what strikes you as you get into it. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts.
—Gary Hubbell
Welcome, [memb_contact fields=FirstName]!
I’m so glad you’re here. I know you’re going to get as much out of this series as I have.
And I’m pleased to have connected you with Jim Lord and the other good folks at The Center for Leadership Philanthropy. Their work has inspired and informed my work for some time now.
In fact, as a Certified Philanthropic Quest Facilitator, I’m offering strategic retreats using the ideas and methods you’ll learn about in this series. It’s a privilege to be doing this work and I’m grateful for your interest in knowing more about it.
By the way, in case you don’t see yourself as engaged in “philanthropy,” let me add this: As you’ll soon see, we work from an expanded understanding of "philanthropy" (beyond the solely financial).
phi·lan·thro·py
tangible expressions of
love for humanity
So this work is relevant to everyone who seeks to further the common good, as we honor and encourage the many ways human beings take action to benefit others.
Enjoy the series and let me know what strikes you as you get into it. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts.
—Rod Kirsch
What could be possible for humanity?
Can we actually choose to create the future we most desire, or are we at the mercy of forces beyond our control?
Where do we find an alternative to the dominant chorus of cynicism?
How might we enliven civic engagement and revitalize social causes and organizations of social good?
This course offers encouraging real-life answers, drawn from more than a decade of intensive learning labs and interviews with leaders from more than 50 countries, as well as the latest findings in the fields of human and organizational behavior.
You'll discover a surprising reframe: Instead of being wearied by the usual accounts of how bad things are, we can change the conversation and find the energy to tip the scales of history.
Imagine if all the people who want to change the world knew they could.
Course Content
1. Where Do We Stand?
Four topics, 3-5 minutes each
-
We Have So Much Going For Us
For most people, this question seems to come out of the blue.
3 minutes
-
The "Woe Are We" Conversation
It's an interesting social convention: We often connect with each other by talking about what's wrong, what we don't want, how awful things are.
3 minutes
-
Why Is It That We’re So Occupied With Problems?
It seems to begin very early in our lives.
5 minutes
-
Closet Idealism
Beneath the critical veneer of modern life lies a deep hidden reservoir of idealism.
3 minutes
- We Have So Much Going For Us For most people, this question seems to come out of the blue. 3 minutes
- The "Woe Are We" Conversation It's an interesting social convention: We often connect with each other by talking about what's wrong, what we don't want, how awful things are. 3 minutes
- Why Is It That We’re So Occupied With Problems? It seems to begin very early in our lives. 5 minutes
- Closet Idealism Beneath the critical veneer of modern life lies a deep hidden reservoir of idealism. 3 minutes
2. Do We Choose the Future?
Five topics, 1-3 minutes each
-
The Choice to See Hidden Strengths
Churchill gives us a moving reminder that we can choose how we hold the past, present, and future.
3 minutes
-
But Must We "Face Reality"?
In everyday life, most of us are held back by our sense that our resources are limited and that circumstances control our destiny.
3 minutes
-
The Impossible Has Become Possible
A human footprint on the moon, the fall of the Berlin wall, the end of apartheid, a computer on every desk, living with another person's heart beating in one's chest.
2 minutes
-
Ideas Lead the Way
The philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer observed that every new idea passes through three stages.
1 minute
-
Is There Another Way to See It?
When Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus, was it because she needed a seat?
2 minutes
- The Choice to See Hidden Strengths Churchill gives us a moving reminder that we can choose how we hold the past, present, and future. 3 minutes
- But Must We "Face Reality"? In everyday life, most of us are held back by our sense that our resources are limited and that circumstances control our destiny. 3 minutes
- The Impossible Has Become Possible A human footprint on the moon, the fall of the Berlin wall, the end of apartheid, a computer on every desk, living with another person's heart beating in one's chest. 2 minutes
- Ideas Lead the Way The philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer observed that every new idea passes through three stages. 1 minute
- Is There Another Way to See It? When Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus, was it because she needed a seat? 2 minutes
3. Where Does Our Destiny Come From?
Five topics, 3-4 minutes each
-
Just Talk? That’s Enough?
"Just talk" has always been the path to reinvent the world.
3 minutes
-
Can One Dinner Conversation Change the World?
Peter Robinson tells a surprising story of his days as a presidential speechwriter.
3 minutes
-
Words Create Worlds
It's by talking together that we agree on what is real and what is good, what we want and what can stir our minds and excite our hearts.
3 minutes
-
The Unstoppable Power of Expectations
Our images and expectations about the future may well be the most fateful social agreement we create through our dialogue.
4 minutes
-
Everyday Talk Is Fateful
"The rise and fall of images of the future precedes or accompanies the rise and fall of cultures."
3 minutes
- Just Talk? That’s Enough? "Just talk" has always been the path to reinvent the world. 3 minutes
- Can One Dinner Conversation Change the World? Peter Robinson tells a surprising story of his days as a presidential speechwriter. 3 minutes
- Words Create Worlds It's by talking together that we agree on what is real and what is good, what we want and what can stir our minds and excite our hearts. 3 minutes
- The Unstoppable Power of Expectations Our images and expectations about the future may well be the most fateful social agreement we create through our dialogue. 4 minutes
- Everyday Talk Is Fateful "The rise and fall of images of the future precedes or accompanies the rise and fall of cultures." 3 minutes
4. The Courage to Choose Our Stories
Six topics, 1-4 minutes each
-
Wings of Hope
Gene Sparling tells of the rediscovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker, long thought to have been lost forever.
2 minutes
-
The Seductive Law of Gravity
So often we treat the high point as if it were the exception.
1 minutes
-
Is Cynicism Just a Story We Tell?
The cost is great when mistrust becomes the prevailing way of life, when society as a whole experiences a generalized loss of belief in people and in institutions of all kinds.
3 minutes
-
Searching for a Sign of Life
What happens when we set aside the standard practices that require us to identify and fix problems as the first order of business?
4 minutes
-
You Still Think You Must Address a Problem Head-On?
Rosemary Cairns shares an instructive tale from one of her experiences working all over the world.
3 minutes
-
The Courage To Start a New Conversation
Imagine yourself in a village in Nepal, the second poorest country in the world, where most years even the farmers go hungry for a few months.
4 minutes
- Wings of Hope Gene Sparling tells of the rediscovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker, long thought to have been lost forever. 2 minutes
- The Seductive Law of Gravity So often we treat the high point as if it were the exception. 1 minutes
- Is Cynicism Just a Story We Tell? The cost is great when mistrust becomes the prevailing way of life, when society as a whole experiences a generalized loss of belief in people and in institutions of all kinds. 3 minutes
- Searching for a Sign of Life What happens when we set aside the standard practices that require us to identify and fix problems as the first order of business? 4 minutes
- You Still Think You Must Address a Problem Head-On? Rosemary Cairns shares an instructive tale from one of her experiences working all over the world. 3 minutes
- The Courage To Start a New Conversation Imagine yourself in a village in Nepal, the second poorest country in the world, where most years even the farmers go hungry for a few months. 4 minutes
5. What Questions Dare We Ask?
Three topics, 2-3 minutes each
-
The Power of the Question
How a child's innocent question inspired the invention of instant photography.
2 minutes
-
Which Questions Are Better?
The first question we ask plants the seeds of the future.
3 minutes
-
A Contrarian Discovery Uncovers Hidden Power
A young graduate student's discovery has shaken many long-entrenched beliefs about organizations, and even about people.
3 minutes
- The Power of the Question How a child's innocent question inspired the invention of instant photography. 2 minutes
- Which Questions Are Better? The first question we ask plants the seeds of the future. 3 minutes
- A Contrarian Discovery Uncovers Hidden Power A young graduate student's discovery has shaken many long-entrenched beliefs about organizations, and even about people. 3 minutes
6. Might We Even Reframe the Human Condition?
Seven topics, 2-5 minutes each
-
What About Meeting Needs?
More than 25 years ago, in a book written for civic leaders, I boldly proclaimed that "organizations have no needs."
4 minutes
-
Trusting Each Other
On an ordinary Tuesday morning in 1998, in the small town of Jonesboro, Arkansas, two boys came to school armed with high-powered rifles.
5 minutes
-
But I’m Just Trying to Help
"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to them their own."
2 minutes
-
The Paradoxical Theory of Change
People are more open to change than one might expect, even eager for it.
3 minutes
-
But I Still Want to Know How I Can Improve
Even more useful than trying to change people is to uncover what is already there.
4 minutes
-
What Do We Want?
Can change happen when people become clear about what they want, and then intentionally seek to see more of it already in their midst?
3 minutes
-
What Is Your Work Really About?
Clarity about what we want can also lead us to rethink the very nature of the social causes we support.
3 minutes
- What About Meeting Needs? More than 25 years ago, in a book written for civic leaders, I boldly proclaimed that "organizations have no needs." 4 minutes
- Trusting Each Other On an ordinary Tuesday morning in 1998, in the small town of Jonesboro, Arkansas, two boys came to school armed with high-powered rifles. 5 minutes
- But I’m Just Trying to Help "The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to them their own." 2 minutes
- The Paradoxical Theory of Change People are more open to change than one might expect, even eager for it. 3 minutes
- But I Still Want to Know How I Can Improve Even more useful than trying to change people is to uncover what is already there. 4 minutes
- What Do We Want? Can change happen when people become clear about what they want, and then intentionally seek to see more of it already in their midst? 3 minutes
- What Is Your Work Really About? Clarity about what we want can also lead us to rethink the very nature of the social causes we support. 3 minutes
7. Reclaim the Power to Change the World
Nine topics, 1-4 minutes each
-
Work From Who We Are
A different way to see our actions on behalf of the common good.
1 minute
-
Is the Future Within Emily?
"I think it's important to set an example for other students," said Emily.
2 minutes
-
Our Contributory Spirit Shows Up Everywhere
Wherever they are, people want to make a difference.
1 minute
-
The High Art of Denial
However strong the desire to contribute might be, there's an equally strong tendency to deny that our efforts have made any difference.
3 minutes
-
Success is More Than Avoiding Mistakes
What's the best way to inspire, mobilize, and sustain the desire that people have built in?
3 minutes
-
Locating the Energy for the Future
Ever hand a piece of your writing to someone to get their reaction or approval?
2 minutes
-
Where Do We Get the Nerve?
Research into brain chemistry has shown how much happens at a cellular level, far outside our conscious control.
2 minutes
-
Knowing We Have the Power
Learning from our successes has yet another significant result.
4 minutes
-
The Revolution Has Already Begun
Rather than hold the world as dismal and oppressive, we can allow promising stories to crowd out the others.
3 minutes
- Work From Who We Are A different way to see our actions on behalf of the common good. 1 minute
- Is the Future Within Emily? "I think it's important to set an example for other students," said Emily. 2 minutes
- Our Contributory Spirit Shows Up Everywhere Wherever they are, people want to make a difference. 1 minute
- The High Art of Denial However strong the desire to contribute might be, there's an equally strong tendency to deny that our efforts have made any difference. 3 minutes
- Success is More Than Avoiding Mistakes What's the best way to inspire, mobilize, and sustain the desire that people have built in? 3 minutes
- Locating the Energy for the Future Ever hand a piece of your writing to someone to get their reaction or approval? 2 minutes
- Where Do We Get the Nerve? Research into brain chemistry has shown how much happens at a cellular level, far outside our conscious control. 2 minutes
- Knowing We Have the Power Learning from our successes has yet another significant result. 4 minutes
- The Revolution Has Already Begun Rather than hold the world as dismal and oppressive, we can allow promising stories to crowd out the others. 3 minutes
8. What Can Happen When We Believe In Something?
Five topics, 2-4 minutes each
-
Can History Be Made in a Board Meeting?
Might we choose to go for breathtaking, extraordinary, world-changing action, rather than just making the numbers?
2 minutes
-
Do "Non-Profits" Have Something to Teach?
"We're just finishing up our strategic planning, and ... the staff is feeling beaten up."
4 minutes
-
Inspired to the Core
"You might begin at the beginning," I offered to Dick when we resumed our conversation about the Guilds' School.
4 minutes
-
But is the Dream Feasible?
This independent school was founded without a big gift, without a wealthy patron, without a feasibility study.
3 minutes
-
The Little Town That Could
Many, perhaps most, causes and social sector organizations are held back by their sense that they don't know how to raise money and advance their situation, or by a general distaste for the whole endeavor of "fund raising."
4 minutes
- Can History Be Made in a Board Meeting? Might we choose to go for breathtaking, extraordinary, world-changing action, rather than just making the numbers? 2 minutes
- Do "Non-Profits" Have Something to Teach? "We're just finishing up our strategic planning, and ... the staff is feeling beaten up." 4 minutes
- Inspired to the Core "You might begin at the beginning," I offered to Dick when we resumed our conversation about the Guilds' School. 4 minutes
- But is the Dream Feasible? This independent school was founded without a big gift, without a wealthy patron, without a feasibility study. 3 minutes
- The Little Town That Could Many, perhaps most, causes and social sector organizations are held back by their sense that they don't know how to raise money and advance their situation, or by a general distaste for the whole endeavor of "fund raising." 4 minutes
9. Bringing Forth the Best
Eight topics, 1-5 minutes each
-
Why Do People Invest Themselves in Society?
My first day on the job, I naively asked, "Why do people volunteer? Why do they give money?"
5 minutes
-
Money as Moral Leadership
Barney was scratching his head. "Something happened here, but I don't know what it was."
3 minutes
-
Unleashing the Desire to Invest
If meaning and self-efficacy are key to people investing money in an organization or cause, is it any different when the people who work as staff invest their time, energy, and creativity?
5 minutes
-
What Would Success Look Like?
It may strike you as unusual, even a bit strange, to see staff evaluations and philanthropy (or "fund raising") treated in such close proximity.
2 minutes
-
Is It Up to Someone Else?
Especially in the voluntary sector, how do we carry out a "good idea" that no one truly holds as their own?
3 minutes
-
Buy a Ticket, George
Even if we believe (as I do) that there are larger forces at work in the world, we can still lead our lives recognizing the power of the individual.
1 minute
-
Higher Ground
Somewhere along the way, the flame of personal passion and voluntary action may start to flicker.
4 minutes
-
But What About Common Ground?
Is finding "common ground" really the best way to move forward?
3 minutes
- Why Do People Invest Themselves in Society? My first day on the job, I naively asked, "Why do people volunteer? Why do they give money?" 5 minutes
- Money as Moral Leadership Barney was scratching his head. "Something happened here, but I don't know what it was." 3 minutes
- Unleashing the Desire to Invest If meaning and self-efficacy are key to people investing money in an organization or cause, is it any different when the people who work as staff invest their time, energy, and creativity? 5 minutes
- What Would Success Look Like? It may strike you as unusual, even a bit strange, to see staff evaluations and philanthropy (or "fund raising") treated in such close proximity. 2 minutes
- Is It Up to Someone Else? Especially in the voluntary sector, how do we carry out a "good idea" that no one truly holds as their own? 3 minutes
- Buy a Ticket, George Even if we believe (as I do) that there are larger forces at work in the world, we can still lead our lives recognizing the power of the individual. 1 minute
- Higher Ground Somewhere along the way, the flame of personal passion and voluntary action may start to flicker. 4 minutes
- But What About Common Ground? Is finding "common ground" really the best way to move forward? 3 minutes
10. Your Unexpected Personal Power
Four topics, 3-4 minutes each
-
How Often Has the Monarch Led a Revolution?
The traditional view is that "change must start at the top." So we wait for our leaders to act, even though we can see what is called for and we know what we want to happen.
3 minutes
-
You Actually Mean Me?
"Little ol' me? You're saying I can change the world--or even just my small corner of it?"
3 minutes
-
Your Greatest Contribution
Whether you're sitting with one other person or leading a country, your greatest asset is simply your presence.
4 minutes
-
Might We Shift Our Gaze?
If the stories we tell are so central to how things turn out, where do we look for stories to encourage us, stories to provide the energy for a future of promise?
3 minutes
- How Often Has the Monarch Led a Revolution? The traditional view is that "change must start at the top." So we wait for our leaders to act, even though we can see what is called for and we know what we want to happen. 3 minutes
- You Actually Mean Me? "Little ol' me? You're saying I can change the world--or even just my small corner of it?" 3 minutes
- Your Greatest Contribution Whether you're sitting with one other person or leading a country, your greatest asset is simply your presence. 4 minutes
- Might We Shift Our Gaze? If the stories we tell are so central to how things turn out, where do we look for stories to encourage us, stories to provide the energy for a future of promise? 3 minutes
11. The Rediscovery of Idealism
Five topics, 3-4 minutes each
-
Reclaim Our History and Our Greatest Legacy
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out," wrote Albert Schweitzer. "It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being."
3 minutes
-
Mature Idealism
We now have the ingredients of strategies for social action that are more humane, more enlightened, more spiritually evolved, and even more effective.
3 minutes
-
The Youthful Flame
Idealism lives in virtually everyone. In some, it is an ember, awaiting the oxygen of inspiration. In others, it has been burning more brightly.
3 minutes
-
Each of Us Still Has Time
Great contributions can be made late in one's career, regardless of what came before.
3 minutes
-
Meaning and Immortality
Creating the future, especially when it's wrapped up with our own mortality, seems like a pretty tall order.
4 minutes
- Reclaim Our History and Our Greatest Legacy "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out," wrote Albert Schweitzer. "It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being." 3 minutes
- Mature Idealism We now have the ingredients of strategies for social action that are more humane, more enlightened, more spiritually evolved, and even more effective. 3 minutes
- The Youthful Flame Idealism lives in virtually everyone. In some, it is an ember, awaiting the oxygen of inspiration. In others, it has been burning more brightly. 3 minutes
- Each of Us Still Has Time Great contributions can be made late in one's career, regardless of what came before. 3 minutes
- Meaning and Immortality Creating the future, especially when it's wrapped up with our own mortality, seems like a pretty tall order. 4 minutes