Often when we sit in a workshop talking about change, we discuss stakeholders and things they can do. And when we list these out, we rarely include ourselves in the mix. We rarely consider ourselves a barrier to change. We all bring our own baggage, our experiences, perspectives, culture, and so on. And these exact things are critical to finding solutions and ways through and around barriers, but they are also contributing to the barriers themselves. We both change and create/maintain the status quo.

Sometimes it can be helpful to look in the mirror. To ask ‘how do I contribute both to the barriers and to the way forward?’ Sometimes a bit of self reflection and humility might lead to the breakthrough we desire. What can I do?

The choice is up to us.

Photo by Andre Mouton