Developing the art of bridge-building
Developing the Art of Bridge-Building
By: Elizabeth Soltis '88, Founder/Director, Bridges Global
This year, I reached a milestone in my life. I published my first book, Authentic Collaboration: A Bridge to Meaningful Connection. Through this process, fond memories of King's came to mind since university was my first 'bridge' into the world. It was during this time of maturation that I began to discover why meaningful connection matters to me.
With this book, my intention is to evolve the practice of collaboration so that more people experience the power of authentic connection. To that end, I offer a nuanced collaboration vision and 45 exercises. My hope is to catalyze a new conversation about developing the art of bridge-building so families, organizations and communities thrive. I see collaboration as the most essential life skill of our era.
As a holistic paradigm, authentic collaboration is about respecting self and others and Earth while working together. One is a mirror to the other. Authentic collaboration celebrates interdependence in acknowledging that our relationship with ourselves and our source - Earth - directly affects how we connect with other people. It carries the spirit of mutual gain to allow space for empathetic listening and courageous expression.
A bridge is a perfect metaphor for reciprocity, powersharing and co-creation with all our relations. The structure symbolizes the possibility that we can meet in the messy middle to explore and discover our deeper truth. This heart-centred practice offers a gateway to new possibilities and greater peace.
Given that the quality of our relationships influences the richness of our life, how can we bridge-build to hold all needs with care?