Sustainable leadership respects and builds on the past in its quest to create a better future.

Key Question:
Hargreaves writes “When we dismiss or demean the past, we fuel defensive nostalgia among its bearers” and “We view the past differently. We must therefore interpret it together.” What do these statements mean in relation to our work?

Participant Responses:

• Build on what people have been doing rather than telling or implying it is wrong.
• Honor the past and build.
• Don’t assume. Ask questions!
• Respect the existing culture – build, rather than destroy.
• Link past experiences to future learning.
  I’m a link person and keeping finding myself explaining the past to all the new people around me. It gets old and makes me feel old. I think I know what defensive nostalgia means.
• Build on and celebrate past experiences “stepping stones”.
• Honor “the story” but keep focus on vision and mission and goals.
• Share past experiences that relate to “now”. Looking back at history helps us see where we are going and the possible obstacles.
• Take time to actual make statements about what we value from our past – in order to move forward and not de-value.
• That we provide opportunities for people to have formal and informal conservations.
• We must acknowledge the similarities and discrepancies in our stories and honor each person’s “truths”.
• Remember that others have sought to fight the good fight even though it looks different in each situation.
• Build on what’s working rather than wiping the slate clean.
• The past is a part of the present and future and needs to be honored.