From Individuals to Communities: Trust as a Foundation of Change
- Laura Bervian
- 28 de jan.
- 3 min de leitura
[This article was written inspired by my internship experience with Convene, a Paris-based consulting firm that describes itself as "a purpose-driven community of conveners, facilitators, sensemakers and communicators, committed to mobilise our diverse expertise, passion and empathy to unlock the potential of deliberate dialogue for systems change." I've learned a lot with my time with them and through sharing some of these insights I hope to continue fostering meaningful dialogues].
As a Medical Doctor passionate about Lifestyle Medicine, I’ve always been fascinated by the nature of change -
Why do some people seem to adapt so easily, while others struggle? Even when we understand the importance and desire the change, why do we so often cling to old habits?
For instance, despite the well-known benefits of a consumption of fibers and natural foods, 33% of adults in the EU report not eating any fruits or vegetables daily.
One reason is that the conscious decision-making process is only a small part of the equation. Knowing why and how to change doesn't always translate into action. Beliefs, emotional factors, traumas, family dynamics, social influences, and economic constraints all come into play. Yet, change is possible. It happens constantly, and we see it in ourselves and in the world around us, and with the right support (because yes, you don’t need to do it alone), we can make change more intentional and effective.
In this process, trust becomes critical - trust in our ability to change and trust that the professionals supporting us will do so in a safe space without judgment or repression, even when we fall short of the "ideal" version of ourselves. When we talk about change, we must leave room for disagreement and acknowledgment of those aspects of ourselves we may prefer to ignore.
When a therapeutic consultation in lifestyle medicine happens, we build an action plan together. It involves recognizing what’s realistic in your current circumstances and setting specific, measurable, and achievable goals that align with your values. The recommendation is not going from eating zero vegetables to eating a whole-food plant-based diet overnight, since sustainable change is a gradual process. Small victories, such as going from 0 to 1, build trust in your capacity to change and help you to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Through my work in lifestyle medicine, I’ve seen the potential for personal transformation. My focus has primarily been on individual health, but as I became more aware of the interconnectedness between human, animal and environmental health, I felt compelled to understand beyond the individual and explore Planetary and Global Health. Through my work in lifestyle medicine, I’ve seen the potential for personal transformation. Curious on how change takes place in a collective setting, I came to Convene to learn and observe. What I've found so far are great similarities:
Both individuals and communities thrive in supportive environments.
Since sometimes our purposeful goal can seem too ambitious and far-reaching, starting with small, achievable actions - those “low-hanging fruits” - builds momentum and confidence, amplifying our perception of what's possible.
Finally, trusted partners play a crucial role, making the path to sustainable change more inclusive, collaborative, and achievable.
Of course communities are not just a collective of individuals; the complexity increases, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. There are more layers of power dynamics, disagreements and different perspectives. But at the core, one thing remains clear to me: change, whether personal or communal, must be rooted in values and purpose. Why are we doing this? What’s our motivation? And most importantly, whether you're an individual or part of a community, you don’t have to navigate change alone. Finding trustable partners can make the journey more inclusive, sustainable, achievable. As Clea Kaske-Kuck from WBCSD said:
“We need to act fast and we need to do it together. So all the more importance for dialogue!”.
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