Non-Negotiables

I confess: I binge-watched Daredevil Season 3.

You can’t blame me. It does not have any of the mysticism that infested Defenders, and does not even have those special effects scenes that are supposed to show how DD sees things around him. The action’s more realistic. Character development is deep - not only for the heroes, but also for the villains.

And it’s unabashedly, unapologetically Catholic. Ok, some folks might argue with its take on what the Church stands for, or what the characters say about their faith. But I’m sure anybody will concede that DD 3 talks about, and deals with, ideas that have lately been treated like by mainstream entertainment as discarded and outdated - ideas like faith and redemption, forgiveness and sacrifice, obedience and commitment.

And something else that’s close to my experience as a development professional, and as a “citizen activist” - non-negotiables. The things, values, people, places, goals that we will not compromise even as we pursue our reforms.

In our work, things can sometimes get so confusing. Like when partners we thought we know suddenly do the opposite of what we had agreed on. Or we find out our reading of the situation

had been completely wrong. Political conditions change as partners switch parties and positions.

In these times, when we struggle to make sense of new situations, it feels like we’re looking at the wrong side of a tapestry. We can only see the smudged colours and incoherent shapes on this side, and we seek to peek at the other side of the cloth, to see the real picture.

To do this, I’ve found it helpful to remember my non-negotiables. I pick up a new napkin, where I write down: What are the values that I will not compromise, as I pursue my reform? What are the goals that I am not willing to give up? What are the lines that I will not cross? (For all my talk about pragmatism, there are still things that I will not do.)

This helps me to find my balance, see the situation in a better light. That in turn helps me to rethink my approach, my strategies to achieve reform.

When a change agent is clear about his non-negotiables, it’s easier for him to see where he can be flexible, and where he needs to make a stand like a man without fear. And get back into the fight with renewed faith and conviction.

What are your non-negotiables?

#Development #EmpoweringParadigms