Interview with Mark Nicolson

1. In what ways can you relate your work to solidarity. (Doing something good for the community. Trying to make the world a better place basically. Helping where help is needed. Thich Nhat Hanh, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, are examples of Architects of Solidarity)
 
First, all of my clients exist to make a significant change in the world – for example, in human rights, economic justice, community engagement, environmental education, social justice, forgiveness and reconciliation.  
 
Second, in my company I am trying to create case studies of how to help these kinds of organizations – so that others will learn how to help these companies in the future.  
 
Third, in my company I am trying to bring into the broader culture the idea that great companies are dependent on really outstanding relationships and culture within the organizations; that to develop these takes courage on the part of the leaders, and that this can happen with the right set of conditions.  

2. In what ways do you find your work effective?

First, leaders of the organizations often change how they run their organizations.  For example, they might be better at asking for help and not trying to do everything on their own. 
 
Second, the organizations tend to live much more in line with their values.  For example, an organization committed to sustainability might become more proactive about making sure that they do not burn out their employees.  

3. A: Why does this work? B: Or why did you chose this work?


A  Because I am careful to make everyone who I work with feel safe to talk about the issues which concern them very deeply.  Often they have never felt that they can talk about these things before.  I make it possible for people to be honest about where they want to learn and where they do not feel adequate.  This is the first and vital step in learning.  
 
B: Or why did you chose this work?


B Because I love to help people learn.  It is very moving to see people making very courageous steps in learning to be better leaders or team members.  Because I have always personally felt that I am not able to really say what is on my mind or what I care about in groups in the way that I would like.  Doing this work helps me to learn how to do that and to help others to do that.  

4. What is your goal?
 

Two goals.  First to help create a world in which it is safe to be vulnerable and where we value cooperation.  Second to make the most of all the gifts I have been given by my family, friends, teachers and ancestors. 

5. What inspires you/motivates you?

Inspires? People being courageous in the face of great rejection and reaching out to others who might reject them.  People who change their mind in the direction of becoming more welcoming of difference.  People who help reconciliation to happen between people who hurt each other.  People who achieve even though the odds are against them.  
 
Motivates? Helping others to learn and change so that they are inspired to make the world a better place; and creating a life where I can enjoy family and our amazing world.  

6. Do you believe peace is possible ? why/why not?
 

I do believe it is possible because the evidence from world history is that there is less and less violence in the world.  There are fewer people at war as a percentage of the world population now than ever.  In the middle ages, there was a great than 25% chance that you would die at the hand of another person.  Now that is less than 1%.  From that perspective I am optimistic.  
 
However, there is a major climate catastrophe happening.  This will lead to hundreds of millions of people being displaced, going hungry, not having access to water.  This could lead to massive conflict.  From that perspective I am not optimistic.  

7. an example of a specific organization/person you work with.
 

I work with Desmond Tutu and his family to help them create Tutu’s family legacy foundation.  This foundation will hold all the archives of Tutu and his wife, Leah; and will create a center in Cape Town to explain the work of Desmond Tutu and his wife; and will create programs that help people learn about reconciliation.  The work I do is to help them deal with many of the conflicts in the family about how to set this foundation up; and to advise on the steps in the process.  


8. Does religion influence your work in any way? Why or why not?


I do not have a religious practice – however I value the contemplative practices of Buddhism, and respect that for many people it is a vital source of their inspiration.  I have never found religion to be a source of strength to me.  
I would also add that I subscribe to the Dalai Lama’s comment: My religion is kindness.