People may need to learn to be peers. As I guide Power Peers conversations, I hear myself and others fall into the trap of duality. We seem quick to sort ourselves and others into defined roles, such as teacher/student; leader/follower; boss/ subordinate; consultant/client; and superior/inferior.

Our society is largely based on belief in force, control, gaining, losing, and generally, every man for himself. Individuals are not as black-and-white. Even though, we like to fit people into little boxes of defined characteristics in order to feel more comfortable. And almost always, the characteristics are based on the other person being higher or lower than our self in one way or another. It is how we have been taught to think and behave.

Inherent in the work of the Power Peers Network is the belief that the human spirit aspires to ideals of goodness and values. In everyday life, I experience the kindness of others, even as I clearly see greed and cruelty in much of our present conditions. Yet the capacity, strength and beauty of the human spirit is extraordinary as we strive for individual excellence and to be of service to all aspects of Life.

We are peers in our human spirit. When we talk in the Network calls, this spirit shines through because we are willing to listen with respect and seek to understand. Our conversations are about big ideas and values, such as honesty, integrity, and courage. As we talk as equals, we express our specific skills, perspectives and experience which combine to make us each unique. This is celebrated as we know that each of us has access to the creativity and intelligence of the unseen Universe around us.

Learning to be peers takes practice. First, we must consider one another as peers and understand that each person has their own gifts to give in a manner and time unique to them. People think peer means being the same and agreeing with one another. Absolutely not!

Every person has equal access to connection with something greater than themselves and has been gifted by birth. Some have been thwarted by life circumstances and may need help to shine. Many Power Peers choose to help others to learn, grow, communicate, and serve with greater capacity in the joy of excelling.

Peers do not need or want to compete. They are encouraged and enriched by the accomplishments of their peers who are competing against self to reach higher levels of awareness, personal excellence, and access to power. As the great ballet dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov explained, ““I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”

My mother once asked me if I wanted to be a big fish in a little pond or a little fish in a big pond. My reply was: “Neither. I want to be a big fish in a big pond with other big fish loving life and living in harmony!” I knew, even then, that true power seeks peers, and I have built relationships and helped others to instill clarity of vision in their work for decades. Today, the Power Peers Network is the actualization of this intention.

We invite you to join us in deep, meaningful conversations in the weekly video-calls. You can download the Network overview and contact me to learn more.

Please share your thoughts on learning to be a peer below and thanks for participating in the conversation, Laura