Tea with Linda - COOPERATION
Tea with Linda - COOPERATION
Linda Kavelin Popov, Co-Founder of TVP, September 2023.
Cooperation seems a humble virtue, reminding us of childhood instructions to play nicely with others and listen to our teachers. Yet it’s a powerful catalyst for change – essential in creating the synergy to build something new or solve a problem we cannot accomplish alone. Cooperation requires each to share his or her unique gifts in service of a common goal. It’s essential to sustain the wellbeing and success of any family, organization, or enterprise. “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” (Romans 12:6)
My brother John Kavelin, Dan and I discovered the power and the challenges of cooperation in what felt like a
destined partnership when we initiated The Virtues Project more than thirty years ago. One of our key teachable moments was the importance of playing distinct roles, each taking the lead in our area of responsibility – John in design, Dan in research, and me in writing. We also continually sought the guidance and cooperation of the spiritual realm. The vision that guided us was sourced in prayer, reflection, and team consultation.
For cooperation to thrive takes the balancing virtues of confidence and humility in equal measure. It does not tolerate dominance but can be guided by respectful leadership, which recognizes the unique role that each is meant to play while honoring the unity of the group.
Cooperation abhors conflict but thrives on robust consultation. The Baha’i Writings say, “Not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.” Cooperation invites us to express our own views passionately while then detaching with trust that truth will emerge from the “frank and loving” expression of views from all present. We must not hold back our own view out of excessive humility or for fear of rejection but speak with openness and listen with openness as well for a new truth to arise.
The folktale of Stone Soup is a wonderful metaphor for cooperation. A troop of very hungry soldiers were wandering in a forest seeking something to sustain them when they came upon a village. The captain went up to the first farmhouse and knocked. When the farmer came to the door, he said, “Kind sir, do you have any food to spare for my hungry soldiers?” The farmer replied “No, we have barely enough to feed our own family.” He received the same answer at every house.
Then he had an idea. He called for the camp cook to bring a caldron to the town square, placed a large river stone in the pot, and filled it with water, then began to stir vigorously. The first townsman came out of his house curious to ask what he was doing. “Oh, I’m making Stone Soup. It’s magic soup! It can feed my soldiers and everyone in this village. All it’s lacking is a carrot.” “We have a carrot!” said the man and ran home to fetch it. This went on until the caldron was filled with each person’s contribution, with plenty of vegetables and meat to feed them all.
When each of us does our own part, and combines it with cooperation, we can create something truly magical. This is truly the story of The Virtues Project global community. As anthropologist Margaret Meade famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”