The Principles
These six principles help me pay attention to how we are working together. Each asks something of me that you should be able to recognize in the work. The results described here are things we work toward. We need to look at what is actually happening, and keep asking whether the work is doing what we agreed it should.
Relational
- What it means here
Our working relationship affects what we can understand and do together. It needs attention throughout the engagement.
- What it asks of me
Pay attention to you as a person, listen to what you are telling me, and take responsibility for my part in the relationship.
- What we work toward
You can speak plainly about what is happening, including when something between us needs attention.
Visible
- What it means here
We name who has the authority to make a decision. People need to know where power sits if they are being asked to take part.
- What it asks of me
Ask who gets heard, who decides, and who has to live with that decision. Keep those differences visible as the work continues.
- What we work toward
You can see what authority you have, where you need agreement, and what would have to change for you to act.
Distributed
- What it means here
Knowledge and the ability to act need to reach the people doing the work. With a team, we look at how decisions are shared.
- What it asks of me
Help you practice what you are learning and pay attention to whether you have the knowledge and authority to use it.
- What we work toward
You can make decisions and follow through, on your own or with the people you work alongside.
Solidarity
- What it means here
When people have been harmed or excluded, we work alongside them and share responsibility for repair.
- What it asks of me
Stay involved, share the risk, and follow through on the responsibilities I agree to take on. Listen to the people affected when we decide what repair requires.
- What we work toward
People regain access where they have been excluded, and those responsible carry out the repair they have agreed to make.
Discovery
- What it means here
We spend time understanding what is happening before deciding what to do. My first explanation needs checking, too.
- What it asks of me
Ask questions, look at actual experiences, and stay willing to change my understanding as we learn more.
- What we work toward
You have a clearer account of what is happening and can choose a response based on what you have learned.
Generative
- What it means here
The ways of working we develop need to continue after our engagement ends.
- What it asks of me
Help you build the ability to keep going, and look for it in the decisions you are making while we work together.
- What we work toward
You can maintain what you have built and adapt it when your needs change.
I have worked with the questions behind Distributed and Solidarity for years. Naming them helps me be clearer about what I am responsible for: sharing the ability to act and staying involved when repair is needed. You can ask how any of these principles is showing up in our work.