What remains is how you felt, not what really happened

A few months ago I took part as shepherd (with my dog) in a Transhumance: walking a herd of sheep, in this case 2700 sheep, from the valley, the Marseille area, up into the mountains of the Alpes de Haute Provence (230 km in 14 days). A brilliant experience, and more to come about this. It has learned me a lot of lessons, gave me ample introspections and I want to share one to start with.

This world that welcomed me is a completely different world than what I am used to. It has its own logic, its own organisation (or better, self-organisation), huge flexibility, and its own purpose. Impressive to me, since I did not expect it, they think really in systems, which is missing in most of what is done today in our economic and political world. What stroke me most was the clarity with which they explained some of the real issues in society. The 'them' and 'us' rational, the difference between town (and elites) and the rural areas. One important lesson: it is not about the rational. It is about being heard. After all, what remains after an event, positive or negative, is the feeling that it gave you: how did you feel when this happened?

They explained me brilliantly why they would vote for Marine Le Pen (it were elections when we were on Transhumance), while they know it is not going to solve anything, and they even don't dislike Macron. After all, as in all European countries, thanks to the EU they get important subsidies that allows them to continue their business. The EU does seem to have advantages.

They distrust the system, that is far too complicated, and that does not seem to understand, let apart listen to, the problems of 'normal' people. The system does provide solutions for 'them', but they are not invented 'with' them. They are no part of constructing the solution, and hence it often fails. Fertile ground for populists, of course, who make it easy with some simple slogans, showing an apparent understanding of the 'real' problem. They, as many others, ignore the systemic nature of most problems. To be seen if populism can solve also some of those issues.

Hence lesson one to learn: start by listening, empathising, engaging and eventually loving the problem, not the solution (that will follow once we all feel part of the solution). So understand the problem, the way citizens experience it, and empathise with them: their truth is a valid truth. Engage with them: work on possible solutions with them, not for them. Finally, seek connection with the citizens (farmers or other) in the solution.

And maybe, that is easier than we think. It is a state of mind, not a hugely complicated rational. People instead of economy.