Movement Training Isn’t Enough: The Urgent Need for Transformational Change

Authoritarianism is on the rise in our country. To meet the challenge of this moment, we must shift and evolve our activism and leadership.

Authoritarianism is a political system that concentrates power in a single leader or a small elite. It advances the interests of the few while suppressing dissent and opposition from the populace. Authoritarianism stands in stark contrast to democracy. Democracy is rooted in the idea that power should be shared by the people and leveraged to advance the desires and interests of the people at large. Even a representative democracy, like the one America strives for, is based on the belief that government should function for the people and be run by the people.

One of the tools of authoritarianism is militarization and fear. President Trump is currently weaponizing the National Guard against our communities. He attacks community leaders who dissent and uses the FBI against political enemies. These actions are clear markers of authoritarianism.

In other words, the context of social justice and our pursuit of liberation has changed. It requires us to go deeper, be more courageous, wiser, and bolder.

Here's the thing: Courage and wisdom are not merely intellectual exercises. They are characteristics that must be cultivated. We cannot simply train our way to the wise and courageous leadership we need in this moment.

Not Just Movement Training: Transformation

To truly equip movement leaders for this moment, we must move beyond training towards deeper transformation. Decades of experience have taught us that to cultivate Wise Warriors, we must engage the Six Tenets of Transformation. At their core, these tenets serve as a roadmap for how to grow your capacity to lead with the wisdom, discernment, power, and courage of a Wise Warrior.

The Six Tenets of Transformation

Training: Trainings provide important opportunities to learn new skills, frameworks, or political education. They lay the groundwork for us to reorient ourselves to new ways of thinking and doing.

Embodiment: Trainings must be coupled with somatic and grounding practices. These practices help us integrate our learning, anchor our courage, and access deeper discernment and poise amidst chaos.

Community: Community provides space for us to be witnessed as we grow. It teaches us how to witness others who are growing alongside us. Importantly, community holds us accountable for the shifts we have committed to making.

Introspection: True transformation requires us to examine our core beliefs and habits. We must be able to see ourselves clearly as we journey toward deeper transformation.

Discipleship: We grow most when we journey alongside elders and wisdom leaders. They can help guide our transformation. This often takes place in the form of coaching but can also happen in cohorts and fellowships led by wisdom leaders.

Experimentation: As we evolve, we will encounter numerous opportunities to make different choices. We can practice our new skills and put our new beliefs into action. These moments are vital for learning and assessment. We grow our capacity through practice.

The Call to Action

Training by itself isn't enough. It's time to go deeper. It's time to elevate our leadership and move beyond movement training toward transformation. After all, strong leaders build strong movements.

Conclusion: Embracing the Challenge

In this critical moment, we must embrace the challenge of transformation. We need to cultivate courage and wisdom actively. We must engage with the Six Tenets of Transformation and commit to a deeper journey. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now. Together, we can advance social change and deepen our impact.

Let’s rise to the occasion and transform our strategies, teams, and leadership. The future of our democracy depends on it.