Listen to Lead
Know yourself. Hear others. Facilitate change.
THE "WHY"
When we connect across differences, we can create something far bigger than the sum of our parts. Listen to Lead exists to help you, your team, your organization or your community do just that.
THE "WHAT"
Through coaching, training, facilitation and deep listening, Sara Schonwald builds your intercultural and leadership capacities to create and sustain individual, organizational and community change grounded in equity.
THE "HOW"
(MY GUIDING PRINCIPLES)
Working towards equity means changing systems. Structural racism, classism, sexism and other systems of oppression exist in the air we breathe, and they hurt all of us. It's crucial to understand how these systems manifest on an individual, interpersonal, organizational and societal level in order to change them.
Relationships matter. We do this work together, in relationship with each other. We're intentional about growing and deepening relationships at all points in the process.
This work is developmental. It’s based on the radical assumption that we’re all doing the best we can with the skills and experiences we have. Listen to Lead uses Dr. Mitch Hammer’s Intercultural Development Continuum to identify your growth-edge and build from there.
Our bodies are our greatest teachers. Our bodies carry wisdom that we often don't know how to hear. Lasting change demands that we include a practice of body awareness and mindfulness in our work.
We learn by doing. Real organizational change happens when we get in the weeds and work together to apply the skills we've learned. We do this by deconstructing, critically analyzing, then reconstructing one policy, practice or program at a time.
Capacity building is key. We must have the skills and mindsets within our community or organization to eventually do this work ourselves. This work builds those capacities at every turn.
Leadership is a practice. It's a way of showing up, and something that we must choose in every moment. Everyone can practice leadership, because everyone has something important to offer their organization or community.
Let's connect.
Want to tell me about you and your goals? Want to learn more about me and my approach? Be in touch and let's begin the conversation.
TESTIMONIALS
“Sara is an amazing facilitator and trainer. She brings great passion and energy to her work. She is confident, and conveys genuine warmth for participants. She is able to read the room and make adjustments to better serve the group. I have witnessed community groups make significant strides in their efforts with her as their facilitator."
-Valerie Shangreaux, Director of Leadership at Blandin Foundation
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