This gentleman is passionate, experienced, and – most of all – in my opinion he’s often right when he says:
“We western people are imperialists, colonialists, and missionaries. And there are only two ways we deal with people: We either patronize them or we are paternalistic.”
Ernesto Sirolli suggests that when we enter a community we should never arrive with any ideas on how to improve the existing status quo. Instead, we should do what’s extremely difficult: “Shut up and listen!”
This also applies to expatriates when they arrive at their new home abroad. I think this ties in well with Maria Foley’s 12 tips on how to become an ugly expat.
A TED Talk – When most well-intentioned aid workers hear of a problem they think they can fix, they go to work. This, Ernesto Sirolli suggests, is naïve. In this funny and impassioned talk, he proposes that the first step is to listen to the people you’re trying to help, and tap into their own entrepreneurial spirit. His advice on what works will help any entrepreneur.
Hat-tip to Leonardo Bellatti, who posted this clip on LinkedIn.
Thanks for sharing this TED video is a direct illustration of the proverb :”The road to hell is paved with good intentions” this applies to NGOs but also for people adapting to a new corporate culture or a new country with diffferent sets of values
Thank you, Anne, for reading and commenting.