Accepting Helping Hands

When I was getting ready for this edition of Courage Pie, I was reminded of a previous blog I wrote, Who are your allies? My old coaching blog posts are still up but hidden, so please consider this an extra-special pie slice for you all this month! I might pull out a few other pies of wisdom from the archives in future editions.

Science behind the slice

It’s over 50 years since sociologist Mark Granovetter published his work ‘The Strength of Weak Ties’ all about the power of casual connections. Your closest friends are fantastic for helping you figure out who you are, being your champions, being there for you in times of need – but your casual connections will give you access to information you don’t already have. The power of pals for holding up a mirror to you, acting as a reference for who you want to become both through modelling good behaviour and skills and as a group whose approval you crave, is covered in this rather dry academic article by Theodore Kemper: ‘Reference Groups, Socialization and Achievement.’ For a heartwarming story about the power of using a peer group to achieve the seemingly impossible, read this case study on Pieter Ernst’s work setting up care groups to combat preventable diseases in pregnant mothers in 1995, when Mozambique was recovering from a civil war in which the healthcare had collapsed. I found it especially moving to learn that care groups have also been proven effective in improving vaccination coverage and combating malnutrition around the world. At a time when misinformation and untrustworthiness seems rife, it’s empowering to see a strategy for public good working so well, consistently and quietly saving people’s lives for the past 30 years. 🥲

That’s all from me for now, pals! Please join me next month on Tuesday 29 July (unless the poll shows a massive swing towards a different day) when we’ll be walking through the high cost of discounting – ignoring inconvenient truths (and how to start facing these with intention & resourcefulness.) Also a reminder that I offer one-on-one coaching if you want to explore any of these topics in more detail – have a look at my coaching page for current packages and offers.

Very best,

Caitlin