by Steve Terusaki, MBA 89, Haas Alumni Forums Director
F orum members receive great value when it is possible to discuss issues not possible in any other setting. These are the conversations in the 5%: the 5% of conversations on each end of a bell curve about the worst or most fearful part of your life, and the conversations about the most joyful part of your life.
How is that level of safety created; what are the factors that create a “brave” space for these most vulnerable conversations?
Fundamental to creating a “brave” space is the principle of confidentiality. The Haas Alumni Forums program starts with a required commitment by everyone to pledge that nothing said in the discussion will ever by repeated to anyone, at anytime in the future, and in any other setting. Nothing – Nowhere – Never is the baseline commitment.
Secondly, there is a need to have a sense of community among those in the discussion. Shared experiences and shared values begin to build that community. In the Haas Alumni Forums, members share a commitment to the Four Guiding Principles of the Haas School of Business.
These principles create a bond and a set of shared values. The student experience at the Haas School of Business, or as a UC Berkeley alum also connects members thereby creating a cohort of colleagues who develop trust and respect for each other.
A third aspect of creating a “brave” space is that new perspectives on issues and challenges are provided in first person narratives. This is contrary to a typical group setting where “advice” is the form in which new perspectives may be offered. The 2nd person advice-giving format can often be off-putting and a deterrent to opening-up and being vulnerable. With a 1st person narrative, the story is one that remains true by the offering member and allows the relevant aspects of the narrative to be take-aways by the listener. The narrative can be a powerful way of finding new perspectives that can be incorporated into new ways of addressing a challenge without feeling “told” how to fix the problem.
The Haas Alumni Forums program has been designed to create a “brave” space for its members to benefit from an environment that allows open, frank and vulnerable conversations with trusted cohorts. These principles of engagement are foundational elements that make it happen.
If you are seeking to find a group that can be your trusted cohort to address your most challenging issues, find more information about the program at: https://www.haasalumniforums.com. You too can benefit from being supported by a cohort of trusted colleagues who act as your personal Board of Directors.
Make an appointment on the Contacts page to have a direct conversation on how the Haas Alumni Forums program and fulfill your needs. Additionally, if you find this article helpful, please “like” and “repost” to your networks.
About Haas Alumni Forums
Haas Leadership Forums are comprised of 8-12 alumni who meet monthly—currently online only—to gain perspective and insight on the challenging issues they face as business leaders.
Forums are confidential settings where open discussion can lead to transformational professional and personal growth.
Find more information about the program:
