What is culture saying?
I'm usually quite comfortable staying in my world. It's a place I know and understand. I know the people. I know what is acceptable. I even know what is adventurous. I've discovered that my worldview is limiting and keeps me from experiencing life as fully as I would like.
I realize that one must become a student of culture in order to be a leader of culture. That sounds complex and intriguing. What does that mean? What would I need to do differently? As I began to think about it, the very idea of being a student of culture means being with people I don't usually spend time with and going to places I don't normally go to. It means engaging with other cultures and demographics. This takes a deliberate effort.
A few years ago, I spent two weeks with 19 students ranging from 16 - 19 years of age on an international trip. I spend most of my time with adults so to spend two weeks with a musical theatre group was incredibly eye-opening for me. While on the trip, I engaged in things they like to do. It's different than what I normally do. I learned a lot about how they engage in both community and culture. I discovered several key areas that young adult culture embraces. They engage in what is relevant and personal. These are some of the issues they care about:
Controversy: racism, sexuality, spirituality, integrity, ethics, religion, tolerance, and politics.
Significance: wealth, poverty, humanitarian, success, position, power, compassion, empathy, self expression, dynamic uniqueness, cutting edge.
Relationships: family , love, sex, family, friends, casual relationships, likability, acceptance, tolerance.
Purpose: make an impact, execute social change, spirituality, satisfaction, destiny.
As I stepped out of my world, I became a student and in being a student, I learned things that help me lead. I learned that I need to be real. I need to earn trust. I need to be tolerant. I need to care. When I do all those things, relationships happen and I'm invited to lead. It's humbling and incredibly rewarding.