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Paths of Change

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Humanitarian Work, Social Change, and Human Behavior

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Abstract

This chapter presents the logic and philosophy of an approach that has been introduced in Development, Humanitarian Aid and Social Welfare: Social Change from the Inside Out. It explains how the paradigm shift that this approach is based on can help understand (and improve, if needed) our own behaviour, understand and influence the behaviour of others, and through the combination of both promote (positive) social change from the bottom up and top down. A connection is established between individuals inner alignment and their experience of and expression in the World. The interplay of four dimensions (soul, heart, mind, body) influences who we are and what we do. In each of them linkages between several factors of our being are at play: Soul (Aspiration): the link between purpose, passion, positioning and personal power; Heart (Emotion): the link between compassion, connection, creativity and the ability to change oneself and others; Mind (Thought): the interplay of honesty, honor, focus and humility; and Body (Sensation): the link of influence over oneself leads to insight, inspiration, and lasting impact outside. This last component shows how the harmonization of our internal dimensions affects our interaction with others. Authenticity requires inner alignment; it is the key asset of any individual involved in leadership, in particular for those committed to social change processes.

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  1. Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

    Cornelia C. Walther

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Walther, C.C. (2020). Paths of Change. In: Humanitarian Work, Social Change, and Human Behavior. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45878-2_2

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