Working together is challenging, but necessary if we want to have a positive impact on the world.
When trying to solve a complex problem, which is any problem involving people, the answers can't be preconceived, the solutions can't be preordained, and the path can be preplanned. We need to ask they right questions to move in the right direction, and discover the solution on our way.
Here's some key questions we might need to ask before embarking in the journey:
- What new reality are we hoping to see in the community?
- How will we learn from our mistakes and successes, and share these lessons with others?
- What do we each bring to the table?
- How will the voices and interests of those people not at the table be heard and influence our decisions?
- How will we organise ourselves?
Collaborative, socially motivated property development project will also require people with skills. What might our expectations be of the property owner, the builder, the developer, the architect and design team, and the materials supplier. How might we weave in the knowledge, skills, resources and expertise of institutions like universities to add a layer of rigour, research and accountability to the project?