My guest this week has evolved from punk rock protester to common ground champion, she is a fearless Indian American activist and a beacon of hope for racial justice. Meet the truly inspiring Nisha Anand as she shares her remarkable story, from being arrested in Burma for her pro-democracy efforts to leading transformative change with DreamOrg, a social justice nonprofit where she is CEO. We learn about the pivotal moment that changed Nisha’s relationship to power and get her insights into building inclusive solutions and finding the all important common ground that can turn perceived enemies into unlikely allies. Collaboration is a must-have leadership skill and Nisha’s unique experiences and wisdom will help you approach it from a fresh perspective. 

Shownotes

See more at http://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/leadership-collaboration-nisha-anand

Key Moments 

Planet Human: Reflecting on the current unrest and remembering to look for the good in the world. 

Planet Zoë: Olympus Bound is with the editor and the cover is primed for a reveal soon! 

Meet Nisha Anand (00:02:10) 

Zoe introduces Nisha Anand, an Indian American activist, and her background.

An activist arrested (00:03:17) 

Nisha shares her experience of being arrested and sentenced to hard labor in a Burmese prison.

Activism and bridge-building (00:04:26) 

Nisha discusses her activism and the role of being a bridge builder between different worlds and causes.

Changed perspective on power and common ground (00:06:27) 

Nisha talks about her transformation in viewing power and finding common ground with influential figures.

Experience in Burmese jail (00:08:33) 

Nisha describes her experience in a Burmese jail and the emotional impact on her and her family.

Changed relationship with power (00:12:37) 

Nisha explains her previous anarchist views and how her perspective on power has evolved over time.

Determining the just cause (00:18:05) 

Nisha discusses the complexity of determining the just cause and the importance of acknowledging blind spots.

Building the biggest table for solutions (00:20:10)

Nisha talks about the approach to creating inclusive solutions by considering diverse perspectives and unlikely allies.

Belief in Dignity and Freedom for Everybody (00:22:19) 

Emphasis on the desire for a future with dignity, freedom, and justice for all, and the importance of not marginalising any group.

The Power of Collective Will and Collaboration (00:24:33) 

A story about the success of collective will and collaboration in passing bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation.

Influence of Individual Leaders and Rise of Authoritarianism (00:28:16) 

The impact of individual leaders on a country's behavior and the danger of the rise of authoritarianism and strongmen around the world.

Democracy at Scale and Leadership Style (00:32:52)

Discussion on the importance of democracy at scale, the influence of individual leaders, and the leadership style focused on embracing love.

Fast Five: Leadership Tips and Recommendations (00:36:16) 

Nisha's responses to leadership and future tech, leadership tip, workplace problem, leaders deserving thumbs up, and a favorite leadership book.

Challenges of Collective Decision Making (00:43:13)

The effort and time required to consider diverse perspectives and the limitations of picking a single solution.