prosocial behavior: behavior that benefits others, or society as a whole
antisocial behavior: disregard for, or violation of, the rights of others
PROSOCIAL POWER is the conviction that every person on this planet is a person who we can learn from. (If we find someone challenging... then we really have things to learn from them!)
PROSOCIAL POWER means zero tolerance for hate and violence - we must wipe out these social diseases by breaking down the fear, prejudice, ignorance, and economic systems that fuel them.
PROSOCIAL POWER is the courage to admit our ignorance; to make, and learn from, mistakes; to know when to shut up and listen, and when to open up and speak our truth, even if it makes us shake.
PROSOCIAL POWER requires taking risks. Human interaction is unpredictable, but we bravely face the unknown, trusting the process of coming together as potentially messy - but highly generative.
PROSOCIAL POWER is shared power.
PROSOCIAL POWER doesn't require that all hold hands and sway along to some feel-good song. Part of being prosocial is honoring the needs of shy people, people who don't speak, and people who need time alone.
PROSOCIAL POWER is not afraid to be "anti." We are anti-racist, anti-colonialist, and anti-war. We know there is already a war being waged on many of us, and we must fight back. But we fuel our fight with love, and keep cultivating sanctuary spaces.
PROSOCIAL POWER knows that independence is an illusion. We need revive our spirit of interdependence.
PROSOCIAL POWER takes effort - and serious commitment to play. Imaginative games, healthy, consensual touch, mingling, art, singing and dancing - what many consider to be frills, bonuses, or child's play - require complex thought, deep compassion, and yes, hard work. Reclaiming these arts can catalyze the evolution we need to put the humane back in humanity.
the Dalai Lama
Corrupt power - power based on domination and exploitation - feeds on antisocial behavior. It wins when we "mind our own business" instead of looking out for others. It wins when we prioritize personal gain and short-term results; when we judge people who are different; when we lose ourselves in passive entertainment, and succumb to self-doubt. It wins when we submit to Industrial Age models of learning that still plague most schools, universities, and learning and development departments.
As climate change makes good food, water and shelter more scarce, prosocial behavior is more important than ever. Introspection, empathy, communication, compassion and collaboration are more than good character: they're key to our survival. And those of us who have more than we need must learn to share, and redistribute land, money and resources.
Prosocial power - people power - is what I have come to love, support, and cultivate in my years as a community organizer, program manager, instructional designer, educator, therapist, circle keeper, writer, artist, and parent. I live to listen and learn, to collaborate, connect, and co-create.
For more about prosocial power... you tell me. I'd love to hear from you. I love to join forces with people who work to keep us connected to our core selves, to other people, and to the planet. We may be collaborating before we know it!