Before jumping back into movement and catalytic specific thoughts, I wanted to wrap up this exploration of how those who are outsiders can intentionally choose to be postcolonial in their actions. It’s important as we consider catalytic work because catalysts are outsiders entering into new and different contexts. If they don’t intentionally choose self-awareness about all that have shaped them, they will carry existing (and potential harmful) mental models into the new contexts. This can happen whether an American goes to East Africa, a South African goes to South East Asia or an East African goes to the Middle East. To say it again, slightly differently (and linked to the catalyst cycle), we’ve got to be ready and willing to change our base assumptions based on what we learn in the discover phase. What should this probably look like? Here’s the start based off of realizations I’ve had:
- A colonial attitude says that the outsider comes in and runs the show until such a time as an indigenous leader has been adequately raised up. A catalyst recognizes that an indigenous leader is always going to be the best leader.
- Alongside of that, colonial attitudes expect {Western, American, some-outside-culture} definition of perfection regardless of what the indigenous community expects. Catalysts recognize that their are differences in understanding regarding leadership and what surrounds it and works toward serving a contextual understanding rather than the colonial understanding.
- A colonial attitude tends to expect complex, long-term and outside training before indigenous leaders can really lead. Catalysts aim for on-the-job training and focus on the journey of leadership in a particular context.
- A colonial attitude brings the answers for transformation with them. Catalysts choose to serve indigenous leaders in discovering local answers.
- And ultimately, colonial attitudes expect a faith to emerge that looks entirely like its own. Catalysts expect and encourage local expressions, which might be radically different {in structures, songs, creeds, ritual, etc}.