In Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) times, we need to create informal as well as formal structures of communication. With dramatic changes on the US and world stages, traditional hierarchies and channels are less reliable than more agile modalities, including in-person, human-to-human communication. 

In the area of climate change, we'll face some new political challenges in at least the next four years. Some of the pollution restraints and green policies will be dismantled, and state and municipal actors will once again take on increased importance. For climate practitioners, this is a moment of reckoning, a time to re-group and look to both cities and countries who will continue to develop climate-friendly policies and practices. It's a time for each of us to look at our networks, and to strengthen key relationships. 

As a leadership coach, part of my responsibility is to help people to gain a sense of agency, and to realize that they have all that they need to move forward effectively to create community. This fall I've attended two conferences which have helped me to get a greater sense of the context that we're facing in both personal and planetary development: the Capital Coaches Conference and Devex World, both held in the Metro DC area. In each case, there are lessons about how we can thrive in challenging times. 

Among my takeaways are that: 1) we are all "resourced and resilient," and capable of facing current challenges: we can affirm that by saying "I am a warrior;"  2) coaching is "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process," and an important part of that is "the ethics of care;" (Echols) and 3) there are people on both sides of the political aisle who are working for positive global development. David Beasley, former South Carolina governor and head of the World Food Programme, suggested that as a leader you need to have people around you who don't agree with you. Our networks must be composed of a diversity of what Boyatzis calls "resonant relationships." 

We all (still) know that the climate is changing, and that we need to take bold action. How do we do that when we're concerned about the cost of feeding our families and having a decent standard of living? There's no one easy answer, but to even face the questions we need to see a connection between our micro sphere (relationships, community) and what's going on in the macro arena (international affairs). There's a lot of fear in the country and the world this week. Let's all reflect on how we might pull together to face a positive future.