In January and February, the UCC Book Club gathered to discuss Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown. This book invites us to rethink our approach to organizing, leadership, and community building. Our discussion was rich with insights, drawing connections between nature, imagination, personal transformation, and movement work. Below are the key practices and resources discussed in our conversations.
Applying Emergent Strategy to Organizing
1. Ground Organizing in Nature’s Wisdom
Practice Biomimicry: Observe nature and reflect on patterns that can inform your work. Ask yourself: What is your favorite element of nature? What can it teach you about change and adaptability?
Use Fractal Thinking: Focus on small, meaningful changes rather than being overwhelmed by large-scale issues. For example, if you want to shift organizational culture, start by modeling the change in your immediate team or daily interactions.
Slow Down When Necessary: Urgency is sometimes necessary, but sustainable change requires patience. Practice recognizing when urgency serves you and when slowing down allows deeper, lasting shifts.
2. Decentralize Power & Leadership
Encourage Shared Leadership: Create leadership structures that empower multiple voices. Think about rotating roles or consensus-based leadership instead of one leader making decisions.
Normalize Questioning Leadership: Foster a culture where team members feel safe challenging ideas. Practice asking: Why are we doing it this way? Is there another approach?
Lean Into Productive Conflict: Create environments where giving and receiving feedback is normalized. For example, implement regular “check-ins” where concerns can be raised regularly and constructively.
3. Cultivate Imagination & Joy in Movement Work
Engage People Through Joy: Organizing isn’t just about crisis—it can be about celebration. You can use street theater, music, and cultural expressions to make movements feel energizing and inviting.
Reclaim Your Imagination: Ask yourself: Whose vision of the world am I living in? Practice creating a personal vision statement for the world you want to live in.
Make Resolutions Fun: People respond better to engaging solutions than fear-based messages. Create hopeful and inspiring narratives.
4. Develop Personal Accountability & Reflection Practices
Know Your Own Values: Write down and refine your core values. Ask yourself: What do I stand for? What values do I practice daily?
Reframe Negative Thought Patterns: The way you talk to yourself shapes your actions. You can practice replacing critical inner voices with affirmations aligned with your values.
Limit Your Focus: Even though you may want to, you can’t change everything at once. Choose one to three key areas to focus on for a set period of time.
5. Strengthen Transformative Justice & Accountability
Ask “Tell Me More” Instead of “This is What You Should Do”: People must come to their own realizations. Instead of pushing solutions, help people talk through their thoughts.
Recognize Harm & Take Accountability: Acknowledge when harm has been caused and commit to learning. If someone calls you out, take a step back and remind yourself: They are calling me out because they care for me and want me to grow. What can I learn from this?
Shift How We Handle Conflict: Avoid shame or punishment and focus on transformation. Ask: What support does this person need to change? How can we model a different way?
6. Be Mindful of What You Absorb & Expose Yourself To
Curate Your Environment: Be aware of what influences you, from social media to daily conversations. If news cycles create anxiety, balance it with uplifting books, music, or nature.
Practice Meditation & Reflection: Spend time alone with your thoughts to process emotions. Journaling, guided meditation, or quiet walks can help you reset.
Create Playlists or Listening Practices: Surround yourself with affirming words and sounds. You can listen to audiobooks or music that reinforce the mindset you want to cultivate.
Resources Shared
- Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown (free audio)
- What is Transformative Justice? (video)
- The Lightmaker’s Manifesto by Karen Walrond (audiobook preview)
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (free audio)
- The Light We Give by Simran Jeet Singh (audiobook preview)
- Think Again by Adam Grant (free audio)
- NVC: Nonviolent Approach to Communication by Marshall Rosenberg (free training sessions on YouTube)
- Beloved Economics: Transforming How We Work by Jess Rimington (audiobook preview)
- The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt (book overview)
- We Will Not Cancel Us by adrienne maree brown (book discourse)
- Tactical Disobedience episode of How to Survive the End of the World
Apps for Free Reading & Listening:
- Libby (Library audiobooks & ebooks)
- Hoopla (Another free library app with audiobooks, movies, and more)
Transform Yourself, Transform the World
One of the most powerful reminders from Emergent Strategy is that the way we live and show up daily is itself a strategy for change. Every interaction, every relationship, and every small action builds toward a greater collective shift.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this conversation! If you have additional reflections or resources, we invite you to share them in the UCC Community Forum.
If you are interesting in joining our March book club meeting where we will be discussing Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care by Kelly E. Hayes and Mariame Kaba, you may sign up here.
