In The Zones (of Narrative Change Work)

“The question I am posing is whether an explicit recognition of the zones of narrative change work might enable us to activate each zone more consciously. Can we minimize contradiction and boost mutual support for greater and more lasting impact?” Different efforts operate with different time horizons: some more immediate, others more long-term. This presents a risk that different efforts’ “respective ends and means may be in conflict with one another,” a conflict we may have to “accept and figure out how to live with”, or perhaps “figure out how to do our respective work in a way that – if it can’t immediately support the work of the other zones – at least doesn’t counter it.” Ideally, “a recognition of the distinctions between various zones of narrative work might help us better explore synergies, so that work in each zone actively and intentionally reinforces that in the others.”