Practicing Fearlessness in Times of Fear

with Margaret Wheatley and Jerry Granelli

Ancient teachings define fearlessness as a noble act of generosity, one of the true gifts we can offer to others. How can we lead fearlessly in this age of increasing uncertainty and turbulence? How can we create harmonious work environments even as fear and anxiety pervade our communities and organizations? How can we ourselves open to the world and act courageously even as those around us close down and withdraw?

This module is a shared exploration of fearlessness, not as an abstract concept but as a very practical way to do our work. Using many modes of inquiry — lectures, reflection, movement, music, playfulness, dialogue — we will discover our own capacity for fearlessness. We will learn about the tradition of spiritual warriorship — those who have always stepped forward to offer compassionate service in dark times. We will explore our own touchstones for fearlessness — when we have experienced it in ourselves, our role models, and the stories of our families and ancestors. We will reflect on moving beyond hope and fear to the space of clear action. And we will discover whether we are prepared to proclaim our own spiritual warriorship as we define our work going forward.

Margaret Wheatley writes, teaches, and speaks about radically new practices and ideas for organizing in chaotic times. She is President emerita of The Berkana Institute, a charitable global foundation serving life-affirming leaders around the world. Her newest book, Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time, is a collection of her practice-focused writings, where she describes both the organizational and personal behaviors that bring her theories to life. Her classic book Leadership and the New Science has just been published in a revised and updated third edition, and now appears in 20 languages. Her other books are Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future, and A Simpler Way (with Myron Kellner-Rogers). Her articles appear frequently in a wide variety of magazines and professional publications. See her website for her most recent articles and listing of seminars.

Jerry Granelli, jazz drummer, composer, bandleader, and teacher, began his musical career in San Francisco in the 1960s, as a member of Vince Guaraldi's group, and then later as the rhythm-section mate of Charlie Haden. Over the years he has frequently worked with Mose Allison, and has been regarded as the star pupil of legendary drum master Joe Morello. Jerry spent much of the 1970s and early '80s teaching in various innovative and prestigious music programs, such as Seattle's Cornish Institute and Boulder's Naropa University.

In the mid-1980s he returned to active recording and performing, first in a trio with Ralph Towner and Gary Peacock, and then with the group Quartet. He now leads his own quartet, Berlin-based UFB. His recordings include Another Place, A Song I Thought I Heard Buddy Sing, News from the Street, and Broken Circle. Jerry presently teaches at the Hochschule der Kunst in Berlin, and also lives and performs in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

ALIA Europe Modules

The Art of Hosting Transformational Change
with Toke Paludan Møller, Monica Nissén, and Phil Cass

Embodied Leadership
with Wendy Palmer

An Integral Practice for Evolutionary Leadership and Change
with Peter Merry and Dylan Newcomb

Practicing Fearlessness in Times of Fear
with Margaret Wheatley and Jerry Granelli

Solving Tough Problems: Co-creating New Realities in Complex Systems
with Adam Kahane, LeAnne Grillo, and Mustafa Suleyman